pequeñas
/peh-KAY-nyahs/
small
Illustrating physical size, showing something very small.
📝 In Action
Quiero comprar unas galletas pequeñas para el café.
A1I want to buy some small cookies for the coffee.
Las casas en ese pueblo son muy pequeñas.
A1The houses in that town are very small.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Plural Agreement
Since 'pequeñas' ends in -as, it must be used to describe feminine nouns that are plural (more than one), like 'flores' (flowers) or 'manzanas' (apples).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "Using 'pequeñas' for masculine nouns, like 'libros pequeños'."
Correction: Always match the ending to the noun: use 'pequeños' for masculine plural nouns like 'libros'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emotion
You can add '-itas' to make it 'pequeñitas' (very small/cute), which is a common way to show affection or make something sound even smaller.
Showing young female people, referring to age.
📝 In Action
Mis hermanas pequeñas todavía están en la escuela primaria.
A2My young sisters are still in primary school.
Las perritas eran tan pequeñas que necesitaban una caja especial.
B1The little female puppies were so young they needed a special box.
💡 Grammar Points
Position Matters
When 'pequeñas' is used to mean 'young,' it almost always comes after the noun it describes, though sometimes it can be placed before for emphasis.
Representing something of minor importance or significance.
pequeñas(Adjective)
minor
?importance or significance
modest
?scope or scale
,small-scale
?business or project
📝 In Action
Solo tuvimos unas pequeñas dificultades técnicas.
B1We only had a few minor technical difficulties.
Las empresas pequeñas generan mucha innovación.
B2Small-scale companies generate a lot of innovation.
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract Use
This meaning often describes abstract feminine nouns like 'problemas' (problems) or 'inversiones' (investments) to show they are not major or serious.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pequeñas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pequeñas' to describe age, not physical size?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pequeñas' end in -as?
'Pequeñas' is the feminine plural form. The -a tells you it describes a feminine noun (like 'mesas'), and the -s tells you it describes more than one of them (plural).
What is the difference between 'pequeñas' and 'chicas'?
Both mean 'small' or 'little.' 'Pequeñas' is generally more formal and widely used in all contexts. 'Chicas' is very common in Latin America for size, but in Spain, 'chicas' usually means 'girls' (the noun).