Forming Plural Diminutives
To form the plural of a diminutive using -zinhos or -zinhas, you don't simply add the suffix to the singular word. Instead, follow this three-step rule:
- Turn the base word into its plural form.
- Drop the final -s.
- Add -zinhos or -zinhas.
For example, a word ending in -r or -z adds -es in the plural:
- a flor (flower) -> as flores -> as flore- -> as florezinhas (little flowers)
- a luz (light) -> as luzes -> as luze- -> as luzezinhas (little lights)
| The terrariums are small ecosystems where we can put little flowers. | Os terrários são pequenos ecossistemas onde podemos pôr florezinhas. |
| To create this terrarium, I used some decorative little spoons. | Para criar este terrário, usei umas colherezinhas decorativas. |
Words Ending in -ão
Words ending in -ão that form their plural with -ões follow the exact same pattern.
- o carvão (charcoal) -> os carvões -> os carvõe- -> os carvõezinhos (little charcoals)
Note that the tilde (~) remains to maintain the nasal sound.
| Even if you have moss and sand, you need little charcoals for the humidity. | Ainda que tenhas musgo e areia, precisas de carvõezinhos para a humidade. |
Words Ending in -l
When a word ends in -l, its plural drops the -l and adds -is (like o cristal -> os cristais or o funil -> os funis). Following our rule, you drop the final -s of that plural and add the diminutive suffix.
| We use little funnels so that the decorative soil stays arranged. | Usamos funizinhos para que a terra decorativa fique arrumada. |
| The terrarium was decorated with little crystals and little lights. | O terrário ficou decorado com cristaizinhos e luzezinhas. |
If the base word's plural form gains an acute accent, this accent is dropped in the diminutive because the stressed syllable shifts to the suffix (-zi-).
- o caracol -> os caracóis -> os caracoi- -> os caracoizinhos
- o papel -> os papéis -> os papei- -> os papeizinhos
| Look, I hid some little snails under the moss and the gravel! | Olha, escondi uns caracoizinhos debaixo do musgo e do cascalho! |
| Do not throw little papers into the gravel, because they ruin the ecosystem. | Não atires papeizinhos para o cascalho, porque estragam o ecossistema. |
Words Ending in -m
Words ending in -m form their plural with -ns. Drop the final -s, leaving the -n before adding the suffix.
- o jardim -> os jardins -> os jardin- -> os jardinzinhos
| These terrariums are like little gardens, aren't they? | Estes terrários são como jardinzinhos, não é? |
