小粒|こつぶkotsubu[0]heiban (flat)
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- na-adjective, no-adjectivesmall (of a grain or berry, etc.)
- na-adjective, no-adjectivesmall (in stature)
- na-adjective, no-adjectivelimited (in abilities)
Conjugation
| Plain form | 小粒(こつぶ) |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 小粒です(こつぶです) |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 小粒ではない(こつぶではない) |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 小粒ではありません(こつぶではありません) |
| Past (datta) | 小粒だった(こつぶだった) |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 小粒ではなかった(こつぶではなかった) |
| Te form (de) | 小粒で(こつぶで) |
| Adverbial (ni) | 小粒に(こつぶに) |
| Conditional (nara) | 小粒なら(こつぶなら) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym細粒さいりゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose term for fine particles, as in the pharmaceutical 「細粒剤」; unlike 「小粒」 it never describes a person's stature or ability.
- Antonym大粒おおつぶNeutralNeutral antonym: the grains or drops are large — big raindrops, tears, grapes. The direct opposite of 「小粒」 in size.
Use 「小粒」 for small grains or berries, and figuratively for small stature or limited ability or weight. For fine particles in written or technical contexts pick 「細粒」; for large grains or drops use 「大粒」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
- 小さな粒。


