Diminutives are used a lot in Spanish. They are used to reinforce the meaning of the word, to give an affective value or even to reinforce an idea of smallness. Some diminutives also have a pejorative value.

I. Formation of diminutives

* For words ending in -O or -A (and words of more than two syllables ending in -E), the suffix, -ito or -ita, is added after the final vowel has been removed.

Example : Gato (Cat) ==> Gatito ; Perro (Dog) ==> Perrito

* For words ending in a consonant (except R and N), the suffix (-ito/-ita) is added directly.

Example : Arbol (Tree) ==> Arbolito ; Papel (paper) ==> Papelito

* For words ending in N or R, the suffix -cito / -cita is added

Example : Amor (Love) ==> Amorcito ; Mujer (Woman) ==> Mujercita

* For words of one or two syllables ending in -E, we add the suffix -cito / -cita

Example : Cofre (Chest/Box) ==> Cofrecito ; Llave (key) ==> LLavecita

* For words composed of only one syllable, we add the suffix -ecito (masculine) or -ecita (feminine)

Example : Una flor (a flower) ==> Una florecita ; Un pan (a bread) ==> Un panecito

N.B : There are many exceptions to these rules, which can only be determined by use.

II. Remarks

* For words ending in -Z, the final -z becomes -c

Example : Actriz ==> Actrecita

* For words ending with the /k sound, a spelling change is usually made to preserve the pronunciation.

Example : Poco ==> Poquito

* Sometimes the use of diminutives changes the meaning of the word.

Example : Paño (sheet) ==> Un pañuelo (a handkerchief) ; una capa (a layer) ==> una capilla (a chapel)

• There are other diminutives ending in –iño, -iña, -eto, –eto, -illo, or –illa, etc. These are rare and vary greatly by region.

For example, the suffixes -illo and -illa are very common in Andalusia: chica (girl) ==> chiquilla (little girl). Be careful because they can also have a pejorative value: una mujer (a woman) ==> mujercilla (a slut).

III. Use of diminutives

* Used with a noun, the diminutive reinforces the idea of smallness or is used to talk about someone in an affectionate way.

Example :

– Mi casa (Ma maison) ==> Mi casita (my little house, my home).
– Mi Abuelo (Mon grand-père) ==> Mi abuelito (reinforced emotional sense).

* When used with an adjective or adverb, the diminutive reinforces their meaning.

Example:

– Despacio (slowly) ==> Despacito (Very slowly).
– Callada (Quietly) ==> Calladita (Very quiet).

IV. Diminutives with a pejorative value

The diminutives built with the suffix -ucho (masculine) or -ucha (feminine) have a pejorative connotation.

Example : Casa (House) ==> Casucha (Slums) ; Medico (Doctor) ==> Medicucho (Charlatan)

 

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