Inklingo

How to Say "small matter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cosita

/ko-SEE-tah//koˈsita/

nounA1informal
Use 'cosita' to refer to a minor issue, a little problem, or even a small object, often with a slightly affectionate or diminutive tone.
A tiny, colorful wooden button sitting in the palm of a hand.

Examples

No te preocupes por eso, es una cosita sin importancia.

Don't worry about that, it's a small, unimportant thing.

Tengo una cosita en el ojo.

I have a little thing in my eye.

Es solo una cosita que tengo que terminar antes de irme.

It's just a small thing I have to finish before I leave.

Making words 'smaller'

Spanish adds '-ita' or '-ito' to the end of nouns to show that something is small or to express affection.

tontería

nounB1informal
Choose 'tontería' when referring to something that is unimportant, silly, or foolish, often implying it's not worth getting upset about.

Examples

Dejar de hablarle por eso sería una tontería.

Stopping talking to him because of that would be foolishness.

Cosita vs. Tontería

Learners often confuse 'cosita' and 'tontería' because both mean 'small thing'. Remember that 'tontería' specifically implies silliness or foolishness, while 'cosita' is a more general term for something small or minor, which can even be an object.

Related Translations

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