จิ๋ว
tiny
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- 1 tiny、miniature
Describes something as strikingly small—tiny or miniature—rather than merely small.
tiny、miniature
Emphasizes that something is exceptionally small in physical size.
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มดเป็นสัตว์ตัวจิ๋ว mót pen sàt tua cǐw Ants are tiny creatures. มดเป็นสัตว์ตัวจิ๋ว details
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จิ๋วแต่แจ๋ว cǐw tɛ̀ɛ cɛ̌w Small but excellent. จิ๋วแต่แจ๋ว details
Learning notes
Explanation
จิ๋ว does more than state that something is small: it presents it as noticeably tiny or miniature. It is more emphatic and vivid than the general word เล็ก. It normally follows the noun it describes, as in ห้องจิ๋ว, “a tiny room.” The expression ตัวจิ๋ว can describe a very small child or animal and often carries an affectionate, cute tone. The common expression จิ๋วแต่แจ๋ว means “small but excellent.” It praises something whose quality or ability is impressive despite its small size.
Usage
Common in conversation and advertising when describing very small rooms, lettering, vehicles, devices, or accessories. It is also natural when highlighting compactness or cuteness.
Caution
When applied to a person's build, it may sound affectionate among people who are close, but it can also feel like an unwanted comment on their size. For objective measurements or formal size categories, เล็ก or ขนาดเล็ก is usually more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 tiny synonyms
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กระจิริด also emphasizes extreme smallness but is somewhat more expressive and less broadly used. จิ๋ว readily describes many everyday things, including products, rooms, and lettering.
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เล็ก is the ordinary, broadly applicable word for “small.” จิ๋ว is more emphatic and suggests something tiny or unusually small.