<p>Depends on what context you would have, you can use the following words or idioms.</p>

<p>微乎其微，忽略不计。</p>

<p>丝毫不差，分秒必争。</p>

<p>鸡毛蒜皮，蝇头小利。</p>

<p>细微末节，防微杜渐。　</p>

<p>差之毫厘，失之千里。</p>

<p>千里之堤，溃于蚁穴。</p>

<p>Or you can just say,</p>

<p>很小很小，非常非常小，小的呀几乎看不见，给你个十万倍的显微镜也看不见。</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-21T00:36:15.380Z
2015-04-21T00:36:15.380Z
PdotWang
<p>In addition to <code>微</code>, <code>微小</code>, <code>极小/極小</code>, you can also consider <code>渺小</code>, <code>細小</code>, <code>微型</code>, <code>迷你</code>. There are too many words/idioms for <code>tiny</code>, but these are the more common ones I can think of that are applicable in your context. Below is the explanation of each:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>微</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>In the context you intend to use it in, <code>微</code> seems to be colloquial, e.g. <code>微翅膀</code>, <code>微触角</code>. Note that you should not say <code>微的翅膀</code> or <code>微的触角</code>; it would not make much sense.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>微小</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This is smaller than <code>微</code> and <code>小</code>, and is probably the most commonly used word for <code>tiny</code>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>極小</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This translates to <code>extremely small</code> or <code>minimal</code>. It either implies that the object is one of the smallest among the likes or simply emphasizes/exaggerates the tiny aspect of the object.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>渺小</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This is tiny as well, but it can also imply the insignificance of the object. For example, <code>渺小的翅膀</code> can mean <code>the trivial wings</code>. Be careful with the possible connotations of this word.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>細小</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This is tiny and thin, which is probably a good word for antennas, i.e. <code>細小的触角</code>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>微型</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This literally translates to <code>tiny form/mode/model/version</code>. As such, it is usually used when there is at least one larger version to compare with, e.g. <code>微型翅膀(the tiny wings)</code> and <code>巨型翅膀 (the huge wings)</code>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>迷你</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>This is a load word from English, as you may have realized – <code>mini</code>. It is almost always used in a colloquial context.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-04-21T02:04:19.977Z
2020-06-23T08:17:18.293Z
2020-06-23T08:17:18.293Z
Thomas Hsieh
<p>There are so many ways to say "tiny" it seems. What is the most common way to say "tiny" to something, as in size, an object. Like a tiny insect, or tiny butterfly. Small in English, is still relatively large compared to tiny.</p>

<p>I have been looking through dictionaries and online, I have found the words:</p>

<p>微, 微小 and 极小   </p>

<p>Are these the most common ways to say tiny? Which other should I consider using?  Which is the most common one? Any differences in meaning? </p>

<p>极小 seems to be more for buildings?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-20T22:33:32.213Z
For what you're looking for, there are many words carrying different nuances, just like in English 'tiny' is not the only word that's smaller than small and there's 'mini', 'slim', 'portable', etc. Could you be more specific in what object do you want to use the adjective for?
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-20T23:11:33.890Z
hello， animals in particular,  the tiny wings of butterflies, their tiny antennas etc。 That would be nice if I knew which word to use
nakinanina
<translation><word-requests>
What is smaller than 小
# What is smaller than 小

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-20)

There are so many ways to say "tiny" it seems. What is the most common way to say "tiny" to something, as in size, an object. Like a tiny insect, or tiny butterfly. Small in English, is still relatively large compared to tiny.

I have been looking through dictionaries and online, I have found the words:

微, 微小 and 极小

Are these the most common ways to say tiny? Which other should I consider using? Which is the most common one? Any differences in meaning?

极小 seems to be more for buildings?

**Tags:** translation, word-requests

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: For what you're looking for, there are many words carrying different nuances, just like in English 'tiny' is not the only word that's smaller than small and there's 'mini', 'slim', 'portable', etc. Could you be more specific in what object do you want to use the adjective for?  
> **username_0**: hello， animals in particular,  the tiny wings of butterflies, their tiny antennas etc。 That would be nice if I knew which word to use  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-04-21. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

In addition to `微`, `微小`, `极小/極小`, you can also consider `渺小`, `細小`, `微型`, `迷你`. There are too many words/idioms for `tiny`, but these are the more common ones I can think of that are applicable in your context. Below is the explanation of each:

* **微**

In the context you intend to use it in, `微` seems to be colloquial, e.g. `微翅膀`, `微触角`. Note that you should not say `微的翅膀` or `微的触角`; it would not make much sense.

* **微小**

This is smaller than `微` and `小`, and is probably the most commonly used word for `tiny`.

* **極小**

This translates to `extremely small` or `minimal`. It either implies that the object is one of the smallest among the likes or simply emphasizes/exaggerates the tiny aspect of the object.

* **渺小**

This is tiny as well, but it can also imply the insignificance of the object. For example, `渺小的翅膀` can mean `the trivial wings`. Be careful with the possible connotations of this word.

* **細小**

This is tiny and thin, which is probably a good word for antennas, i.e. `細小的触角`.

* **微型**

This literally translates to `tiny form/mode/model/version`. As such, it is usually used when there is at least one larger version to compare with, e.g. `微型翅膀(the tiny wings)` and `巨型翅膀 (the huge wings)`.

* **迷你**

This is a load word from English, as you may have realized – `mini`. It is almost always used in a colloquial context.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-04-21. Score: 2

Depends on what context you would have, you can use the following words or idioms.

微乎其微，忽略不计。

丝毫不差，分秒必争。

鸡毛蒜皮，蝇头小利。

细微末节，防微杜渐。

差之毫厘，失之千里。

千里之堤，溃于蚁穴。

Or you can just say,

很小很小，非常非常小，小的呀几乎看不见，给你个十万倍的显微镜也看不见。


---

