How to Say “Small” in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to express the concept of “small” in French is crucial for effective communication. This seemingly simple idea involves several nuances, depending on the context, gender, and number of the noun you’re describing.

Mastering these variations will significantly enhance your ability to describe objects, people, and abstract concepts accurately. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the different ways to say “small” in French, including detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you navigate the intricacies of French adjectives and improve your overall fluency.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Small” in French
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories
   • Petit and Petite
   • Mince
   • Faible
   • Court
   • Menu
   • Léger
   • Modeste
5. Examples
   • Petit/Petite Examples
   • Mince Examples
   • Faible Examples
   • Court Examples
   • Menu Examples
   • Léger Examples
   • Modeste Examples
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Small” in French

The primary translation of “small” in French is petit (masculine) and petite (feminine). However, French offers a variety of adjectives to convey different nuances of smallness, depending on the context. These adjectives can describe physical size, quantity, importance, or even abstract qualities. The choice of adjective depends on what aspect of “smallness” you want to emphasize. For example, you might use petit to describe the physical size of an object, mince to describe something thin, or faible to describe something weak or insignificant. The function of these adjectives is to modify nouns, providing more specific information about their size, dimension, or quality. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

Understanding these nuances is essential for precise and effective communication in French. In addition to adjectives, you can also use adverbs to modify verbs and express smallness or moderation in actions or quantities. For instance, the adverb un peu (a little) can be used to indicate a small amount or degree. Therefore, mastering the various ways to say “small” in French involves not only learning the different adjectives but also understanding their specific contexts and usage rules.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of using “small” in French involves understanding adjective agreement and placement. In general, adjectives in French follow the noun they modify. However, certain common adjectives, including petit and others related to beauty, age, goodness, and size (BAGS – Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size), typically precede the noun. When an adjective follows the noun, it must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun.

For example:

• Un petit garçon (A small boy) – petit precedes garçon and is masculine singular.
• Une petite fille (A small girl) – petite precedes fille and is feminine singular.
• Des petits garçons (Small boys) – petits precedes garçons and is masculine plural.
• Des petites filles (Small girls) – petites precedes filles and is feminine plural.

The agreement rules are crucial. Adding an “e” to the masculine form typically makes it feminine, and adding an “s” to either form makes it plural.

Some adjectives have irregular forms or additional rules for agreement, which will be covered in more detail in the usage rules section.

Types and Categories

French offers several ways to express “small,” each with its own nuance. Here are some common adjectives and their specific uses:

Petit and Petite

Petit (masculine) and Petite (feminine) are the most common and versatile translations of “small.” They are used to describe physical size, age, or importance. They precede the noun.

Mince

Mince describes something that is thin or slender. It can be used for objects or people. It usually follows the noun.

Faible

Faible means weak, faint, or insignificant. It can be used to describe physical strength, volume, or importance. It usually follows the noun.

Court

Court (masculine) and Courte (feminine) mean short. They are used to describe length, duration, or height. It usually follows the noun.

Menu

Menu (masculine) and Menue (feminine) mean small, slight, or delicate. It’s often used to describe someone’s build or stature. It usually follows the noun.

Léger

Léger (masculine) and Légère (feminine) mean light, both in weight and intensity. It can describe a light touch, a light breeze, or a light meal. It usually follows the noun.

Modeste

Modeste means modest, humble, or small in scale. It can describe a person’s attitude, a small house, or a modest income. It usually follows the noun.

Examples

Here are examples of how to use these adjectives in sentences. The tables below are designed to help you understand the different forms and contexts in which each adjective can be used.

Petit/Petite Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use petit and petite in various contexts. Note the agreement in gender and number with the nouns they modify. The adjective precedes the noun.

French	English
Un petit chien	A small dog
Une petite maison	A small house
Des petits enfants	Small children
Des petites voitures	Small cars
Un petit problème	A small problem
Une petite erreur	A small mistake
Des petits cadeaux	Small gifts
Des petites surprises	Small surprises
Un petit déjeuner	A small breakfast
Une petite quantité	A small quantity
Des petits détails	Small details
Des petites améliorations	Small improvements
Un petit jardin	A small garden
Une petite ville	A small town
Des petits chats	Small cats
Des petites fleurs	Small flowers
Un petit ami	A boyfriend (sometimes implies young)
Une petite amie	A girlfriend (sometimes implies young)
C’est un petit peu cher.	It’s a little bit expensive.
J’ai une petite faim.	I’m a little hungry.
Il a une petite voiture de sport.	He has a small sports car.
Elle a une petite robe noire.	She has a small black dress.
Ce sont de petits changements.	These are small changes.
Ce sont de petites choses.	These are small things.
Il habite dans un petit appartement.	He lives in a small apartment.
Elle travaille dans une petite entreprise.	She works in a small company.
Un petit ruisseau.	A small stream.
Une petite rivière.	A small river.

Mince Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use mince in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Une feuille mince	A thin sheet
Un crayon mince	A thin pencil
Une silhouette mince	A slim figure
Un fil mince	A thin wire
Des jambes minces	Thin legs
Une taille mince	A slim waist
Un livre mince	A thin book
Une tranche mince	A thin slice
Un papier mince	A thin paper
Une couche mince	A thin layer
Il est mince.	He is thin.
Elle est mince.	She is thin.
Un arbre mince.	A thin tree.
Une personne mince.	A thin person.
Un sourire mince.	A thin smile.
Une voix mince.	A thin voice.
Un trait mince.	A thin line.
Une pâte mince.	A thin dough.
La croûte est mince.	The crust is thin.
Un manteau mince.	A thin coat.
Une couverture mince.	A thin blanket.
Un rideau mince.	A thin curtain.
Un mur mince.	A thin wall.
Un coussin mince.	A thin cushion.
Une serviette mince.	A thin towel.
Des cheveux minces.	Thin hair.
Une barbe mince.	A thin beard.

Faible Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use faible in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Une lumière faible	A weak light
Un son faible	A faint sound
Une voix faible	A weak voice
Une batterie faible	A weak battery
Un courant faible	A weak current
Une pression faible	A low pressure
Une dose faible	A low dose
Un niveau faible	A low level
Un salaire faible	A low salary
Une probabilité faible	A low probability
Un argument faible	A weak argument
Une performance faible	A weak performance
Une force faible	A weak force
Un signal faible	A weak signal
Une connexion faible	A weak connection
Un débit faible	A low flow
Un taux faible	A low rate
Une pente faible	A gentle slope
Un volume faible	A low volume
Une concentration faible	A low concentration
Le café est faible.	The coffee is weak.
La connexion internet est faible.	The internet connection is weak.
Il a une faible constitution.	He has a weak constitution.
Elle a une faible résistance.	She has a weak resistance.
C’est une faible excuse.	It’s a weak excuse.
Il a une faible estime de soi.	He has a low self-esteem.
Elle a une faible tension.	She has low blood pressure.
C’est un faible pourcentage.	It’s a low percentage.

Court Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use court and courte in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Un chemin court	A short path
Une jupe courte	A short skirt
Un discours court	A short speech
Une pause courte	A short break
Un film court	A short film
Une histoire courte	A short story
Un trajet court	A short journey
Une visite courte	A short visit
Un délai court	A short deadline
Une expérience courte	A short experience
La nuit est courte.	The night is short.
Le jour est court.	The day is short.
Il a les cheveux courts.	He has short hair.
Elle a les cheveux courts.	She has short hair.
Un message court.	A short message.
Une lettre courte.	A short letter.
Un résumé court.	A short summary.
Une durée courte.	A short duration.
Un mandat court.	A short mandate.
Une distance courte.	A short distance.
Une conversation courte.	A short conversation.
Une absence courte.	A short absence.
Une sieste courte.	A short nap.
Une halte courte.	A short stop.
Une saison courte.	A short season.
Un règne court.	A short reign.

Menu Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use menu and menue in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Une écriture menue	Small handwriting
Une femme menue	A petite woman
Un homme menu	A slight man
De menues réparations	Small repairs
De menues dépenses	Small expenses
Des détails menus	Small details
Des caractères menus	Small characters (font)
Une silhouette menue	A petite figure
Une construction menue	A slight build
Une taille menue	A small waist
Elle est menue.	She is petite.
Il est menu.	He is slight.
Une personne menue.	A petite person.
Une calligraphie menue.	A small calligraphy.
Des corrections menues.	Small corrections.
Des considérations menues.	Small considerations.
Des affaires menues.	Small matters.
Des plaisirs menus.	Small pleasures.
Des soins menus.	Small cares.
Des tâches menues.	Small tasks.
Des attentions menues.	Small attentions.
Des joies menues.	Small joys.
Des inquiétudes menues.	Small worries.
Des ennuis menus.	Small troubles.
Des problèmes menus.	Small problems.
Des soucis menus.	Small concerns.
Des incidents menus.	Small incidents.

Léger Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use léger and légère in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Un sac léger	A light bag
Une brise légère	A light breeze
Un repas léger	A light meal
Une touche légère	A light touch
Une blessure légère	A minor injury
Un parfum léger	A light perfume
Un nuage léger	A light cloud
Une pluie légère	A light rain
Un vent léger	A light wind
Une pression légère	A light pressure
Un sommeil léger	A light sleep
Une fièvre légère	A slight fever
Une odeur légère	A faint smell
Un fardeau léger	A light burden
Une responsabilité légère	A light responsibility
Un tissu léger	A light fabric
Un manteau léger	A light coat
Une couverture légère	A light blanket
Un oreiller léger	A light pillow
Une valise légère	A light suitcase
Les chaussures sont légères.	The shoes are light.
La robe est légère.	The dress is light.
Il a un cœur léger.	He has a light heart.
Elle a une conscience légère.	She has a light conscience.
C’est une tâche légère.	It’s a light task.
C’est une punition légère.	It’s a light punishment.

Modeste Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use modeste in various contexts. The adjective follows the noun.

French	English
Une maison modeste	A modest house
Un salaire modeste	A modest salary
Un homme modeste	A modest man
Une femme modeste	A modest woman
Un succès modeste	A modest success
Une contribution modeste	A modest contribution
Un prix modeste	A modest price
Une somme modeste	A modest sum
Une ambition modeste	A modest ambition
Un talent modeste	A modest talent
Un repas modeste	A modest meal
Une vie modeste	A modest life
Un appartement modeste	A modest apartment
Un revenu modeste	A modest income
Une voiture modeste	A modest car
Un cadeau modeste	A modest gift
Une fête modeste	A modest party
Une célébration modeste	A modest celebration
Une cérémonie modeste	A modest ceremony
Une performance modeste	A modest performance
Il est modeste.	He is modest.
Elle est modeste.	She is modest.
Un projet modeste.	A modest project.
Une proposition modeste.	A modest proposal.
Un effort modeste.	A modest effort.
Une tentative modeste.	A modest attempt.

Usage Rules

Here are the key rules for using these adjectives correctly:

1. Adjective Agreement: Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
   • Masculine Singular: petit, mince, faible, court, menu, léger, modeste
   • Feminine Singular: petite, mince, faible, courte, menue, légère, modeste
   • Masculine Plural: petits, minces, faibles, courts, menus, légers, modestes
   • Feminine Plural: petites, minces, faibles, courtes, menues, légères, modestes
2. Adjective Placement: Most adjectives follow the noun, but some common adjectives (BAGS – Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size) precede the noun. Petit is one of these.
3. Exceptions: Some adjectives have irregular forms. For example, beau (beautiful) becomes bel before a masculine singular noun that begins with a vowel or mute “h”.
4. Context Matters: The choice of adjective depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. Consider whether you’re referring to physical size, thinness, weakness, shortness, or modesty.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these adjectives:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Un maison petit	Une petite maison	Adjective agreement and placement. Maison is feminine, so petite is needed, and it precedes the noun.
Une garçon petit	Un petit garçon	Adjective agreement and placement. Garçon is masculine, so petit is needed, and it precedes the noun.
Le livre est petit	Le livre est mince	Using the appropriate adjective. Mince is better to describe a thin book.
Une lumière petit	Une lumière faible	Using the appropriate adjective. Faible is better to describe a weak light.
Un jupe court	Une jupe courte	Adjective agreement. Jupe is feminine, so courte is needed.
Il est menu	Il est mince	Using the appropriate adjective. Mince is more commonly used to describe someone thin.
Un sac légere	Un sac léger	Adjective agreement. Sac is masculine, so léger is needed.
Elle est modeste homme	C’est un homme modeste	Using the appropriate sentence structure.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective.

Question	Answer
1. C’est un ______ (petit) problème.	C’est un petit problème.
2. Elle a une ______ (petit) voiture.	Elle a une petite voiture.
3. Ils ont des ______ (petit) enfants.	Ils ont des petits enfants.
4. Ce sont des ______ (petit) fleurs.	Ce sont des petites fleurs.
5. C’est un ______ (mince) feuille de papier.	C’est une mince feuille de papier.
6. Il a une silhouette ______(mince).	Il a une silhouette mince.
7. La lumière est ______(faible).	La lumière est faible.
8. Son voix est ______(faible).	Son voix est faible.
9. Elle a un ______ (court) jupe.	Elle a une courte jupe.
10. C’est un ______ (court) film.	C’est un court film.
11. Elle est ______(menu).	Elle est menue.
12. Il a une écriture ______(menu).	Il a une écriture menue.
13. C’est un sac ______(léger).	C’est un sac léger.
14. Elle a une brise ______(léger).	Elle a une brise légère.
15. Il a une maison ______(modeste).	Il a une maison modeste.
16. Elle a un salaire ______(modeste).	Elle a un salaire modeste.
17. Ce