← Kanji module
N5 · 3 strokes · 42. 小 small · Irodori #55 · Starter L14
小
little, small
Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Readings
- On’yomi
- ショウ
- Kun’yomi
- お-、こ-、さ-、ちい・さい
Example words
小
しょう
smallness; small item
小
こ
small; little
小
お
small; narrow
小
ぐゎー
small; little
Memory aids
Guided learn session →How to remember
Shape
A vertical line with two tiny flanking dots — something small.
Components
A vertical stroke with two small flanking dots — tiny, small.
Anchor word
小さい (ちいさい) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.
Readings
First learned in 小さい (ちいさい) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: お-、こ-、さ-、ちい・さい — often used in native Japanese words. On'yomi: ショウ — common in compound words (熟語).