Meaning
微小 describes something extremely small in size, amount, or importance. It emphasizes the smallness or insignificance of something, often to the point of being barely noticeable. The word carries a sense of minuteness that goes beyond just 'small' (小).
Usage
微小 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, though it appears more frequently in formal or written contexts. It can describe physical size, quantities, differences, or the importance of something. Often paired with words like 变化 (change), 差别 (difference), or 生物 (organism) to emphasize their minuscule nature.
Examples
- 01这个变化非常微小，几乎看不出来。, .This change is extremely tiny; you can hardly see it.
- 02在宇宙中，地球显得微小而脆弱。, .In the universe, Earth appears tiny and fragile.
Characters
Common collocations
- 微小的变化tiny change
- 微小的差别minute difference
- 微小生物microorganism
- 显得微小appear insignificant
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 微 (micro, tiny) and 小 (small) creates an emphatic expression meaning extremely small. Both characters reinforce the concept of smallness, with 微 adding the sense of being barely perceptible.