Comparing "shao" and "xiao"

Revision as of 01:00, 13 October 2021 by Lijiong (talk | contribs)

Both 少 and 小 can translated to mean “little”. In this sense 少 means “little” as small in quantity or number, while 小 means “little” as small in size or magnitude. Yet, each has distinct uses as 少 can also mean “seldom”, “few”, or “less”, and 小 can also mean “young”, “minor”, or “petty”.











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To say to small (size or magnitude), young, minor, or petty use 小

Common Phrases

  • 小孩儿
  • 小姑娘
  • 小问题
  • 小河
  • 声音很小
  • 雨很小
  • 小国
  • 小房子

To say to small (quantity or number), seldom, few, or less use 少

Common Phrases

  • 少联系