Diminutivos navideños en España: -ito/-illo
Dannis
Diminutivos de Navidad en España: -ito/-illo. They can indicate small size, affection or politeness (in English: diminutive/affectionate form). Use them a lot before Christmas and when you meet up with people.
Un momentito, porfa. You ask someone to wait in a softer way: it sounds kinder than "un momento". (Like saying “just a second” or “a tiny moment”.)
Poquito a poco. A typical phrase when organizing dinner, decorating the house or learning carols: encouragement and patience. (Roughly: “little by little”.)
¿Tomamos un cafelito? At get‑togethers and in the office, the diminutive is almost a ritual for the coffee break: "la hora del cafelito".
Detallito. Bringing un detallito (turrón, wine) to a dinner sounds warm and polite. It’s not expensive or big, it’s “a little something with care”.
-ito vs -illo. In Spain -ito is general; -illo can sound more colloquial and depends on the region. You’ll hear “ratillo”, “cafetillo”, but also “cafelito/cafecito”. Use the one you hear people around you using.
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