小粒(こつぶ)

こつぶ
noun, na-adjective
small grain; small-sized; small but capable
sizedescriptive
1. small grain; small-sized
Something small in size, especially referring to grains, beads, fruits, or other small objects. Often used as a modifier before nouns.
小粒(こつぶ)のトマトが甘(あま)い。
The small tomatoes are sweet.
この品種(ひんしゅ)は小粒(こつぶ)だが味(あじ)が濃(こ)い。
This variety is small but has a rich flavor.
小粒(こつぶ)の雨(あめ)が窓(まど)を打(う)っていた。
Fine drops of rain were hitting the window.
2. small but capable; compact but talented
Used figuratively to describe people or things that are small in stature or scale but have notable skill or quality. Often appears in the expression 小粒(こつぶ)でもぴりりと辛(から)い (small but sharp, like a peppercorn).
彼(かれ)は小粒(こつぶ)だが実力(じつりょく)がある。
He's small but capable.
小粒(こつぶ)でもぴりりと辛(から)い。
Small but sharp. (Like a peppercorn — small but potent.)
あのチームは小粒(こつぶ)揃(ぞろ)いだが、結束力(けっそくりょく)が強(つよ)い。
That team is full of compact players, but their cohesion is strong.

Usage

Used both literally for small objects and figuratively for people or organizations. The well-known proverb 山椒(さんしょう)は小粒(こつぶ)でもぴりりと辛(から)い (Japanese pepper is small but packs a punch) captures the figurative meaning perfectly.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 大粒(おおつぶ): large grain — the opposite; also used figuratively for someone impressive
  • 粒(つぶ): grain, drop — the basic word for a small round piece

Related Words

Antonym: 大粒(おおつぶ) (large grain)
general
Added 2026.3.13 15:46 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16537_kotsubu