Diminuatives using

-ito

Diminuatives are used to indicate smallness of size (‘little’), youngness in age, or intimacy (member of family). Some uses may surprise an English speaker.

Perro = dog

perrito = ?puppy

gato = cat

gatito = ?kitty

oso = bear

osito = ?bear cub or teddy bear

mesa = table

mesita = ?little table

señora = Mrs.

señorita = ?Miss

chica = girl

chiquita = ?little girl

abuela = grandmother

abuelita = ?grandma

abuelo = grandfather

abuelito = ?grandpa

hermano = brother

hermanito = ?little brother

burro = donkey

burrito = ?little donkey

mamá = mom

mamacita = ?mommy

mosca = fly

mosquito = ?little fly

Diminuatives can also be used with names of people and places. Sometimes these are nicknames, sometimes they are not.

pueblo = town

pueblocito = ?little town

cerro = hill

Cerritos = ?little hillsCity in Southern California near Long Beach

Juana

Juanita

Pepé

Pepito

Miguel

Miguelito

Lupe

Lupita

fin