1. Diminuatives using -ito Diminuatives are used to indicate smallness of size (‘little’), youngness in age, or intimacy (member of family). Some uses may surprise an English speaker.

2. Perro = dog perrito = ? puppy

3. gato = cat gatito = ? kitty

4. oso = bear osito = ? bear cub or teddy bear

5. mesa = table mesita = ? little table

6. señora = Mrs. señorita = ? Miss

7. chica = girl chiquita = ? little girl

8. abuela = grandmother abuelita = ? grandma

9. abuelo = grandfather abuelito = ? grandpa

10. hermano = brother hermanito = ? little brother

11. burro = donkey burrito = ? little donkey

12. mamá = mom mamacita = ? mommy

13. mosca = fly mosquito = ? little fly

14. Diminuatives can also be used with names of people and places. Sometimes these are nicknames, sometimes they are not.

15. pueblo = town pueblito = ? little town

16. cerro = hill Cerritos = ? little hills City in Southern California near Long Beach

17. Juana Juanita

18. Pepé Pepito

19. Miguel Miguelito

20. Lupe Lupita

21. fin