קטנה — meaning in English: Small

ktana · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for small / little (f.s.)

תפקידים

tafkidim

פשוטים

pshutim

לתוצאות

latotsa'ot

להסתיר

lehastir

קטנה

ktana

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neutral very common

Usage

Native Hebrew speakers often use the word קטנה (ktana) in everyday conversation to describe objects, people, or even abstract concepts that are smaller in size or lesser in importance. For example, you might hear a parent refer to their child as קטנה when discussing their age or size, or a person might describe a small apartment as דירה קטנה in a rental advertisement.

Synonyms & nuances

While קטנה (ktana) means 'small', another synonym, זעיר (za'ir), conveys a sense of something being tiny or minute, often used for objects or creatures that are exceptionally small. You would choose קטנה when describing something small in a more general sense, while זעיר might apply when emphasizing the minute detail or size.

Culture

The word קטנה (ktana) is derived from the root ק.ט.נ, which evokes the broader theme of smallness in Hebrew. Interestingly, in Hebrew culture, smallness can often symbolize humility or modesty, reflecting a value placed on simplicity. This word is frequently used in various informal and formal contexts, showing its versatility in the language.

FAQ

Q.What is the plural form of קטנה?

The plural form of קטנה is קטנות (ktanot). This is used when referring to multiple small items or concepts, such as קטנות רבות (many small things).

Q.How do you use קטנה in a sentence?

You can use קטנה in a sentence like 'הילדה קטנה' (The girl is small) to describe someone's size, or 'יש לי דירה קטנה' (I have a small apartment) to describe a living space.

Q.Is קטנה used only for physical size?

Not at all! While קטנה often describes physical size, it can also be used metaphorically to denote something of lesser significance or importance, like in the phrase 'שאלה קטנה' (a small question), suggesting it's not serious.

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