FAM: Lesson - Diminutivos

A person holds up their fingers indicating that something is small.Diminutivos

A diminutive in Spanish is a word with an added suffix that slightly changes the meaning of the word. Typically, diminutives reference a smaller version of something or serve to add an emotional or endearing emphasis. The closest English equivalent might be adding a “y” to the ending of a word, like “doggy” as opposed to “dog”, or just adding “little” in front of a word.

Formation of Diminutives

Typically diminutives are formed by adding either ‘ito‘ or ‘ita‘ to the ending of a noun or adjective.

Keep in mind that diminutives also agree with the gender of the noun in question. The ending of the diminutive needs to match the gender of the object or person about whom you are speaking. For example, we would call a grandpa abuelito because abuelo is masculine (el abuelo). If we were talking about grandma, though, we would say abuelita because the original noun is feminine: la abuela.

The same will be true for adjectives. For a masculine adjective, we would see bajito (shorty / small), while the feminine form would be bajita (shorty / small).

Diminutive with a noun:

  • abuelo + ito= abuelito
  • abuela + ita= abuelita

Notice that you have to drop the gendered ending (-o/-a) before adding -ito or -ita.

Diminutive with an adjective:

  • El libro pequeño + ito:
    • El libro pequeñito = the small or little book.
  • La escuela pequeña + ita:
    • La escuela pequeñita = the small or little school.

Notice that, in this example, the adjective itself means small (pequeño = small). So, the diminutive is acting as an intensifier here, adding emphasis to the smallness of the book. It's not just a small book, it's a small book.

Using Diminutives to Express Emotional Attachment

As we said before, in Spanish we use diminutives to add an emotional or endearing emphasis, this is how we will use diminutives with family members. Using the following forms is a way to express additional affection for the person:

  • Mamá – mamita
  • Papá - papito
  • Hermano – hermanito
  • Hermana – hermanita
  • Abuelo – abuelito
  • Abuela – Abuelita
  • Prima – primita
  • Primo – primito

Video Lesson

A notebook and pen with ¡Toma apuntes! written on it.

In this video, you will see how to form diminutives with ito – ita and also a few other cultural uses of diminutives. Keep in mind that you only need to learn the diminutives provided in the vocabulary list. Even so, we want to share with you a few other uses for cultural enrichment purposes. You may hear Spanish speakers use these words in their everyday conversations.

Necesitas tomar apuntes (take notes) and complete practice activities. Remember, email your teacher if you have any questions after you complete a lesson. Your instructor is always available to help you and clarify any additional questions you may have before you move forward with your studies.

Video credit: Spanish Pod 101 - Innovative Language (mobileapps@innovativelanguage.com)

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Practice Activity

Was this video lesson helpful? Do you feel like you have a better understanding of diminutives? If so, then you are ready to complete the following practice activity. All practice activities have unlimited attempts. Practice as many times as you need.

NOTE: You are required to use information from this course to complete all practice activities. Additionally, fill-in-the-blank activities can be very particular: if an item is marked incorrect, double check that it wasn't something as minor as an extra space or a capital letter in the wrong place!

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