Atualizado em 11.05.2011 por Elia
In Portuguese, we use “inho” and “inha” to change to diminutive (in general). In English we use “little”, “small” or “tiny”.
Take a look:
uma plantinha – a little plant
uma bicicletinha – a small bike
um apartamentinho – a tiny flat
But, we have a few exception, as we see: “booklet – livrinho/livreto” and “rivulet riozinho” (just in few words, thanks God 🙂 )
–> When you want to say “more or less” you can express yourself by using rather, pretty, somewhat ou fairly.
Take a look:
Kitty me contou uma piada engraçadinha. (um tanto engraçado) Kitty told me a pretty funny joke. (pretty)
Está calorzinho hoje, Não está? (um tanto calor) It’s rather heat today, isn’t it? (rather)
Esta cama é pesadinha. (mais ou menos pesada) This bed is somewhat heavy. (somewhat)
Mary é espertinha para sua idade. (um tanto esperta) Mary is pretty smart for his age. (pretty)
Suas meias são velhinhas! (um tanto velhas) Your socks are fairly old! (fairly)
Estava friozinho ontem. (um tanto frio) It was rather yesterday. (rather)
Source: www.infoescola.com and my memory 😉