Which suffix also means 'little' or 'less than' in diminutives?

Which suffix also means 'little' or 'less than' in diminutives?

• A. -ino
• B. -etto
• C. -oso
• D. -issimo

Answer: (A)

DiminutiveSuffixes in Italian show smallness or affection. The form -ino is a classic way to signal a smaller version or a cuter/younger sense of a noun, as when gattino means a kitten—the little version of a cat. Because it directly conveys the idea of “little” or “less than” in the diminutive sense, it’s the best fit here. The other suffixes serve different roles: -oso means full of or characterized by, -issimo marks the very top degree or superlative, and -etto is another diminutive but with a slightly different nuance.

DiminutiveSuffixes in Italian show smallness or affection. The form -ino is a classic way to signal a smaller version or a cuter/younger sense of a noun, as when gattino means a kitten—the little version of a cat. Because it directly conveys the idea of “little” or “less than” in the diminutive sense, it’s the best fit here. The other suffixes serve different roles: -oso means full of or characterized by, -issimo marks the very top degree or superlative, and -etto is another diminutive but with a slightly different nuance.