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小小 (xiǎo xiǎo) — (adjective) very small, tiny (often endearing); (noun) small child, baby; (in names) little one

Definition

Reduplication of 小 used to emphasize 'tiny' (often endearing), and as a nickname for a small child. Note that this row's second sense is a proper-name usage, not a general noun.

adjective
very smalltiny (often endearing)
noun
small childbaby(in names) little one

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè ge xiǎo xiǎo de hé zi zhēn hǎo kàn.
    This tiny box is really pretty.
  • 小小。
    Tā de míng zì jiào xiǎo xiǎo.
    Her name is Xiaoxiao.
  • 小小。
    xiǎo xiǎo Nián jì jiù xué huì le tán gāng qín.
    At such a young age, she learned to play the piano.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

小xiǎosmall
小xiǎosmall

Repeating 小 intensifies the sense of very small or endearing smallness.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 八八bāto divide; to separate
  • 丨丨gǔnsmall object

The shape of 小 comes from three small dots, later elongated into its strokes; the apparent parts 八 and 丨 are a later way of seeing it.

Open 小 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 八八bāto divide; to separate
  • 丨丨gǔnsmall object

The shape of 小 comes from three small dots, later elongated into its strokes; the apparent parts 八 and 丨 are a later way of seeing it.

Open 小 →
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