When do I use 'pequeño' vs. 'poco'?

Use 'pequeño' when describing physical size (a small car, a little child) and 'poco' when describing quantity or degree (a little sugar, a little tired). A simple test: if you can replace 'little' with 'small,' use 'pequeño.' If you can replace it with 'not much,' use 'poco.'

What are the diminutive suffixes in Spanish?

The most common diminutive suffixes are '-ito' (masculine) and '-ita' (feminine): 'gato' → 'gatito' (little cat), 'mesa' → 'mesita' (little table). Some words use '-cito/-cita' or '-ecito/-ecita' depending on their ending. These suffixes express smallness, affection, or both.

Is 'chico' a correct translation for 'little'?

Yes, in colloquial Spanish, especially in Latin America, 'chico' can mean 'small' or 'little.' However, 'chico/chica' also means 'boy/girl,' so context determines the meaning. In formal writing, 'pequeño' is preferred for clarity.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Little in Spanish: Pequeño and Poco

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Pequeño / Poco · adjective · peh-KEH-nyoh (pequeño) / POH-koh (poco)

The word 'little' in English covers two distinct concepts that Spanish separates into different words. 'Pequeño' (or 'pequeña' for feminine) means small in size — a little house, a little dog. 'Poco' (or 'poca' for feminine) means small in quantity — a little water, a little time. Additionally, Spanish uses the diminutive suffixes '-ito' and '-ita' to convey smallness or affection: 'casa' becomes 'casita' (little house), 'perro' becomes 'perrito' (little dog). In colloquial Latin American Spanish, 'chico' is also used to mean small.

'Pequeño' is pronounced peh-KEH-nyoh with three syllables and stress on the second. The 'ñ' makes a 'ny' sound like in 'canyon.' 'Poco' is pronounced POH-koh with stress on the first syllable. Both words are straightforward once you master the 'ñ' sound.

Tenemos un pequeño problema con la reservación.

We have a little problem with the reservation.

Little in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for little, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
pequeño / poco	little	peh-KEH-nyoh (pequeño) / POH-koh (poco)	Default, widely understood
chico / chica	little		colloquial, Latin America
-ito / -ita suffix	little		diminutive, universal

How Native Speakers Use Pequeño / Poco

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Size: describing an object

Vivo en un apartamento pequeño pero muy acogedor.

I live in a little apartment but it's very cozy.

'Pequeño' describes physical size and agrees in gender and number with the noun: 'apartamento pequeño' (masculine singular), 'casa pequeña' (feminine singular).

Quantity: describing an amount

Queda poca leche en el refrigerador; hay que comprar más.

There's little milk left in the fridge; we need to buy more.

'Poca' is the feminine form of 'poco' to agree with 'leche' (feminine). It indicates a small quantity, not a small physical size.

Diminutive suffix

Mi hermanita siempre me pide que le lea un cuentito antes de dormir.

My little sister always asks me to read her a little story before bed.

The diminutive '-ita' on 'hermana' and '-ito' on 'cuento' convey both smallness and affection. This is one of the most characteristic features of Spanish.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pequeño / Poco

Using 'pequeño' for quantity

Incorrect: Tengo pequeño dinero este mes.

Correct: Tengo poco dinero este mes.

'Pequeño' refers to physical size, not quantity. When you mean 'a small amount of something,' use 'poco.' 'Poco dinero' means 'little money,' while 'pequeño dinero' would oddly suggest the money is physically small.

Forgetting gender agreement with 'poco'

Incorrect: Hay poco agua en la botella.

Correct: Hay poca agua en la botella.

Although 'agua' takes the masculine article 'el' (el agua) for phonetic reasons, it is grammatically feminine. Adjectives like 'poco' must agree with the true gender of the noun: 'poca agua,' not 'poco agua.'

Lock in Little Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Pequeño / Poco used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pequeño / poco in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tenemos un pequeño problema con la reservación. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Little in Spanish

When do I use 'pequeño' vs. 'poco'?: Use 'pequeño' when describing physical size (a small car, a little child) and 'poco' when describing quantity or degree (a little sugar, a little tired). A simple test: if you can replace 'little' with 'small,' use 'pequeño.' If you can replace it with 'not much,' use 'poco.'
What are the diminutive suffixes in Spanish?: The most common diminutive suffixes are '-ito' (masculine) and '-ita' (feminine): 'gato' → 'gatito' (little cat), 'mesa' → 'mesita' (little table). Some words use '-cito/-cita' or '-ecito/-ecita' depending on their ending. These suffixes express smallness, affection, or both.
Is 'chico' a correct translation for 'little'?: Yes, in colloquial Spanish, especially in Latin America, 'chico' can mean 'small' or 'little.' However, 'chico/chica' also means 'boy/girl,' so context determines the meaning. In formal writing, 'pequeño' is preferred for clarity.