Using the diminutive suffix -ito, -ita, -itos and -itas with words ending in -o/-a/-io/-ia

In Spanish, instead of adding the adjective pequeño (= small or little), we can use the diminutive suffix -ito, -ita, -itos or -itas. The suffix not only indicates a diminutive size, but in some cases, it can add a nuance of affection, or soften the meaning of the actual word.

With words ending in -o, -a, -io and -ia, the rule is to remove these endings and replace with the suffix.

With nouns and adjectives the suffix needs agreement in gender and number.

Have a look:

Masc sing   Fem sing    Masc pl    Fem pl   
 -ito  -ita   -itos  -itas

Read and listen to these examples:

El pajarito voló del nido.The little bird flew from its nest. [pájaro → pajarito]

La mesita es verde.The little table is green. [mesa → mesita]

Los libritos de vocabulario eran muy útiles.The little vocabulary books were very useful. [libros → libritos]

Las lamparitas del salón lucen bastante bien.The little lamps in the living room shine quite well. [lámpara → lamparitas]

Tienes la cara morenita.Your face is (nicely) tanned. [morena → morenita, softened]

Mi sobrino es muy bajito.My nephew is very short. [bajo → bajito, affectionate]

 However, with adverbs, we only use the suffix -ito or-ita.
  • Adverbs ending in -o take the -ito suffix.
  • Adverbs ending in -a take the -ita suffix.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

¡Come despacio!Eat slowly!

¡Come despacito!Eat slowly!

Te espero afuera.I'll wait for you outside.

Te espero afuerita.I'll wait for you outside.

In the second and fourth examples, the words slowly (despacio) and outside (afuera) are softened and used affectionately with the addition of the suffix (despacito - afuerita).

Sometimes adding the suffix to the word requires a spelling change to maintain the original sound of the word, or to apply orthographic rules, as with words ending in -co, -go or -zo.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

  • poco a bit
Dame un poquito de agua, por favor.Can I have a little bit of water please?
  • abrigo = coat
Tu abriguito está en la percha.Your little coat is on the peg.
  •  trozoa piece
Voy a tomar un trocito de ese pastel.I'm going to have a little piece of that cake.

We change from trozo to trocito because in Spanish we use the letter z only followed by a, o and u, but not with e or i.

See also Diminutivo.

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Examples and resources

¡Come despacio!Eat slowly!
¡Come despacito!Eat slowly!
Te espero afuerita.I'll wait for you outside.
Te espero afuera.I'll wait for you outside.
La mesita es verde.The little table is green. [mesa → mesita]
Mi sobrino es muy bajito.My nephew is very short. [bajo → bajito, affectionate]
Tienes la cara morenita.Your face is (nicely) tanned. [morena → morenita, softened]
Tu abriguito está en la percha.Your little coat is on the peg.
Las lamparitas del salón lucen bastante bien.The little lamps in the living room shine quite well. [lámpara → lamparitas]
El pajarito voló del nido.The little bird flew from its nest. [pájaro → pajarito]
Dame un poquito de agua, por favor.Can I have a little bit of water please?
Los libritos de vocabulario eran muy útiles.The little vocabulary books were very useful. [libros → libritos]
Voy a tomar un trocito de ese pastel.I'm going to have a little piece of that cake.
I'll be right with you...