()ぶり

こぶり
na-adjective
smallish; on the small side; compact
sizedescriptive
1. smallish; on the small side; somewhat small; compact
Describes something that is relatively or slightly small compared to what is typical or expected. Not extremely small, but noticeably below average size.
()ぶりなりんごだ。
It's a smallish apple.
このバッグ()ぶりで()(はこ)やすい。
This bag is compact and easy to carry.
今年(ことし)スイカ()ぶりだ(あま)十分(じゅうぶん)だ。
This year's watermelons are on the small side, but they're sweet enough.
Despite a compact build, the player showed powerful plays.

From () (small) + ぶり (manner, style — the same suffix in (おお)ぶり, "largish"). Written in hiragana or as 小振(こぶ)り.

Usage

Used as a な-adjective (()ぶりな) or with the copula (()ぶりだ). Very common for describing fruits, vegetables, portions, and physical objects. Can also describe body type or build. Often implies a positive nuance of being conveniently sized or cute rather than inadequately small.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • (ちい)さい — small (general, can mean very small)
  • 小柄(こがら) — small-statured, petite (specifically for people's build)
  • (おお)ぶり — largish, on the large side (the opposite)