Inklingo

How to Say "tiny" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pequeñas

adjectiveA1general
Use this for a general, everyday sense of 'small' or 'tiny' when referring to size, like small objects or portions.

Examples

Quiero comprar unas galletas pequeñas para el café.

I want to buy some small cookies for the coffee.

mini

/mee-nee//ˈmini/

adjectiveA1general
Use this when referring to a specific, very short style or size, most commonly for skirts or shorts.
A tiny toy car sitting next to a regular-sized apple to show its small scale.

Examples

Ella prefiere llevar una falda mini.

She prefers to wear a mini skirt.

Tengo un mini reproductor de música.

I have a mini music player.

One Form Fits All

This word doesn't change its ending. Whether you are describing a masculine or feminine thing, it is always 'mini'.

menudo

/meh-NOO-doh//meˈnuðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this to describe something that is not only small but also delicate, fine, or fragmented, like tiny pieces.
A minuscule grey mouse standing next to an enormous block of yellow cheddar cheese, emphasizing the size difference.

Examples

Las cuentas de collar eran tan menudas que casi no las veías.

The necklace beads were so tiny that you could hardly see them.

Se entretiene con cosas menudas y sin importancia.

He gets distracted by petty, unimportant things.

Matching the Noun

Like most Spanish describing words, 'menudo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'menudo' (masculine singular), 'menuda' (feminine singular), 'menudos' (masculine plural), and 'menudas' (feminine plural).

insignificante

/een-seeg-nee-fee-KAHN-teh//insiɣnifiˈkante/

adjectiveB2general
Use this when 'tiny' means negligible or unimportant in quantity, effect, or significance, rather than just physical size.
A single tiny crumb on a clean wooden table.

Examples

La diferencia de precio entre las dos tiendas es insignificante.

The price difference between the two stores is negligible.

Recibió una cantidad insignificante de dinero.

He received a paltry amount of money.

General Smallness vs. Negligible

Learners often confuse 'pequeñas' (generally small) with 'insignificante' (negligible or unimportant). Remember that 'insignificante' is about lack of impact or significance, not just physical size, and is a higher-level word.

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