Spanish Language Blog
Menu
Search

Diminutives in Spanish Posted by on Jan 14, 2010 in Spanish Grammar

Spanish uses a lot of diminutives and the Real Academia EspaƱola has some rules to form them; check them out.

1. One-syllable words

a) ending in a vowel: pie (foot) – -ececito, -ececillo, -ececico, -ecezuelo: piececito.
b) ending in a consonant or y: rey (king) – -ecito, -ecillo, -ecico, -ezuelo, -achuelo, -ichuelo: reyecito.

2. Two-syllable words

a) ending in e, ia, ua, io, ei, ie, ue (in the first syllable): calle (street), reina (queen) – -ecito, -ecillo, -ecico, -ezuelo, -achuelo, -ichuelo: callecita, reinecita

b) ending in n and r: joven (youngster), amor (love) – -cito, -cillo, -cico, -zuelo : jovencito, amorcito

3. Three or more syllables

a) ending in n or r: imagen (image), comedor (dining room) – -cito, -cillo, -cico, -zuelo : imagencita, comedorcito

b) any other ending: animal – -ito, -illo, -ico, -uelo: animalito

These are general rules, but there are plenty of exceptions, so listen carefully for them.

Tags:
Keep learning Spanish with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author: Adir

English / Spanish teacher and translator for over 20 years. I have been blogging since 2007 and I am also a professional singer in my spare time.