Diminuatives using

-ito

Diminuatives are used to indicate smallness of size (‘little’), youngness in age, or intimacy (member of family). Some uses may surprise an English speaker.

Diminuatives are used to indicate smallness of size (‘little’), youngness in age, or intimacy (member of family). Some uses may surprise an English speaker.

Perro = dog

perrito = ?puppypuppy

gato = cat

gatito = ?kittykitty

oso = bear

osito = ?bear cub or teddy bear

bear cub or teddy bear

mesa = table

mesita = ?little tablelittle table

señora = Mrs.

señorita = ?MissMiss

chica = girl

chiquita = ?little girllittle girl

abuela = grandmother

abuelita = ?grandmagrandma

abuelo = grandfather

abuelito = ?grandpagrandpa

hermano = brother

hermanito = ?little brotherlittle brother

burro = donkey

burrito = ?little donkeylittle donkey

mamá = mom

mamacita = ?mommymommy

mosca = fly

mosquito = ?little flylittle fly

Diminuatives can also be used with names of people and places. Sometimes these are nicknames, sometimes they are not.

Diminuatives can also be used with names of people and places. Sometimes these are nicknames, sometimes they are not.

pueblo = town

pueblito = ?little townlittle town

cerro = hill

Cerritos = ?little hillslittle hillsCity in Southern California near Long Beach

Juana

Juanita

Pepé

Pepito

Miguel

Miguelito

Lupe

Lupita

finfin