Category: AdjectivesPart of speech: adjectiveDifficulty: Common
petit
/petit/Roman
English meaning: Small
Definition
Of a limited size, less than the usual amount.
Example
“J'ai un petit appartement.”
In English: “I have a small apartment.”
Another example: “Ils habitent dans un petit village.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Very common adjective 'small/little'; neutral register, precedes the noun. Often used affectionately ('mon petit') and in many compounds ('le petit-déjeuner').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
The word 'petit' comes from the Latin 'pittinus', which is a diminutive form of 'parvus', meaning small. It signifies not just size but also a sense of endearment in various contexts.
Common Collocations
- un petit garçon
- le petit-déjeuner
- un petit peu
- une petite ville
- petit à petit
Word Forms
m. petit, f. petite, pl. petits/petites; comp. plus petit
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“Aimer, c'est agir.”
“To love is to act.”
“Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien.”
“The perfect is the enemy of the good.”
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