What does 小 mean in Chinese?

小 (xiǎo) means "small; tiny; few; young" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 小?

小 is pronounced "xiǎo" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 小?

小 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 小?

Common words with 小 include 做小 (to become a concubine), 一小撮 (handful (of)), 假小子 (tomboy), 一小部分 (a small part), 一小阵儿 (very brief period of time).

How do you write 小?

小 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 小. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

小 (xiǎo), small

小

xiǎo

small; tiny; few; young

HSK 13 strokes

Character Breakdown

A tiny thing split in two — small

Radical: 小 (no. 42)Strokes: 3

View stroke order →

Definitions

small
tiny
few
young

Example Sentences

我有一只小狗。

Wǒ yǒu yī zhī xiǎo gǒu

I have a small dog

Words Containing 小

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
做小	zuò xiǎo	to become a concubine
一小撮	yī xiǎo cuō	handful (of)
假小子	jiǎ xiǎo zi	tomboy
一小部分	yī xiǎo bù fèn	a small part
一小阵儿	yī xiǎo zhèn r	very brief period of time

→

小不点(xiǎo bu diǎn)· tiny

→

一小部分(yī xiǎo bù fèn)· a small part

→

一斑(yī bān)· lit. one spot (on the leopard)

→

Grammar Notes

Duration ComplementHSK 2

Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)

From...To (从...到)HSK 2

从 + Starting Point + 到 + Ending Point

Double 不 for EmphasisHSK 2

不 A 不 B OR 不...不 + Verb

Even (连...都/也)HSK 3

连 + Emphasized Element + 都/也 + Verb

Passive with 叫/让HSK 4

Subject + 叫/让 + Agent + Verb + Complement/了

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

小: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 小 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

小