小 small

Also: little

On'yomi: ショウ
Kun'yomi: ちい-さい、こ、お
Strokes: 3
JLPT: N5
Taught in: Primary school, year 1

In the kun'yomi, the kana after a dash are written after the kanji (okurigana): ちい-さい.

Stroke order

1
2
3

小 is written in 3 strokes. Each panel adds the next one; the dot marks where the brush starts.

Remember it

A tiny center stroke with two little slivers shaved off either side — what's left is small.

A common word

小学校しょうがっこう elementary school

Example sentences

小さいねこがすきです。
ちいさいねこがすきです。
I like small cats.
むすめはまだ小学生です。
むすめはまだしょうがくせいです。
My daughter is still an elementary school student.

Don't confuse it with

少 few