Key Suffixes
The most common diminutive suffixes in Spanish are:
Examples
| English Translation | |
|---|---|
| Original | Diminutive |
| niño | niñito |
Usage
Diminutives are used for several purposes:
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| casita |
| English Example |
| Purpose |
| Indicating small size |
Regional Variations
Different Spanish-speaking regions may prefer different diminutive forms:
| English Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| Region | Common Diminutive | Example |
| Mexico, Central America | -ito, -ita | cafecito |
Formation Rules
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| carta → cartita |
| English Example |
| Rule |
| Nouns ending in vowel: add -ito/-ita |
Diminutives Beyond Nouns
| Spanish Example | |
|---|---|
| pequeño → pequeñito | |
| English Example | |
| Part of Speech | Usage |
| Adjectives | emphasizes smallness |
Summary
Diminutives in Spanish are a versatile way to convey smallness, affection, politeness, and nuance. They are formed by adding suffixes like -ito, -ita, -cito, and -illo to nouns (and sometimes adjectives and other parts of speech), with some regional variation in usage.
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025