Diminutives: -ito, -illo, -ico

Spanish: Los diminutivos: -ito, -illo, -ico

Level: B1 Intermediate

Category: word_formation

Explanation

Diminutives are suffixes added to nouns, adjectives, and even adverbs to express small size, but also affection, closeness, or politeness. The most common and neutral suffix is -ito/-ita (casa -> casita, perro -> perrito). In Spain, especially in Andalusia, -illo/-illa is also very frequent (chico -> chiquillo, pan -> panecillo), sometimes adding a playful or slightly dismissive nuance. The suffix -ico/-ica is typical of Aragon, Navarre, Murcia, and parts of Latin America (momento -> momentico). Choosing the right ending depends on how the original word ends. Two-syllable words ending in -e, -n, or -r usually take the form -cito/-cillo (coche -> cochecito, pan -> panecillo, flor -> florecilla). Words ending in a vowel normally drop that vowel before the suffix (mesa -> mesita, libro -> librito). When the strong sound of the final consonant must be preserved, spelling changes appear: c -> qu (chico -> chiquito), g -> gu (amigo -> amiguito), z -> c (pez -> pececito). Beyond size, diminutives have a very important affective and pragmatic function in Spanish. Saying "Me das un cafecito?" sounds friendlier than "Me das un cafe?". "Espera un momentito" softens the request. That is why they are very frequent in spoken language, in everyday situations such as ordering at a cafe, talking to children, or being polite with strangers. It is important to remember that the diminutive agrees in gender and number with the original word (las casitas, los perritos) and that some diminutives have become lexicalized, that is, they have turned into words with their own meaning: bolso -> bolsillo (pocket), ventana -> ventanilla (ticket window), manzana -> manzanilla (chamomile).

Examples

• Me pone un cafecito con leche, por favor. - Could you get me a little coffee with milk, please.
• Espera un momentito, ahora le traigo la cuenta. - Wait just a moment, I will bring you the bill now.
• Quisiera una habitación con una camita extra para el niño. - I would like a room with a small extra bed for the child.
• La llave está en el cajoncito de la mesita de noche. - The key is in the little drawer of the nightstand.
• Deme un panecillo y un poquito de jamón, por favor. - Give me a little roll and a bit of ham, please.