pequenos

[pə-ˈke-nuz]
adjectivemasculinepl: pequenos (masculine plural) / pequenas (feminine plural)
small, little, tiny
1. Of limited size; not large in physical dimensions
The small children played in the yard.
Os pequenos meninos brincavam no quintal.
2. Of minor importance; insignificant or trivial
These are small problems that can be easily fixed.
Esses são pequenos problemas que podem ser facilmente resolvidos.
3. Young in age; youthful
When I was small, I loved playing with toys.
Quando era pequeno, amava brincar com brinquedos.
4. Used colloquially to refer to children
The teacher takes care of the little ones at school.
A professora cuida dos pequenos na escola.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'pequenos' is commonly used affectionately when referring to children and is deeply embedded in family-oriented language. It's also frequently used in diminutive forms (pequeninos, pequenininhos) to express endearment. The word carries warmth and tenderness in casual speech, particularly in informal family settings.
NYC Slang
little ones, shorties (when referring to children)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
minúsculosdiminutosreduzidosmiúdosinsignificantes
Antonyms / Antônimos
grandesenormesgigantesimensosvastos

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
pequenos
Standard usage across all Brazilian Portuguese regions
Rio de Janeiro
pequenos / miúdos
Miúdos is also commonly used, particularly for children
São Paulo
pequenos
Standard usage; sometimes used affectionately for children
Portugal
pequenos / miúdos
Very similar usage; miúdos is frequently used for children

Related Words

pequenezempequecerpequeninominiaturoreduzidoestreito

Related Idioms & Phrases

dos pequenos aos grandes (from the small to the great)
pequenos passos (small steps)
pequenos detalhes (small details)
em pequena escala (on a small scale)
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