Pikku

Pikku is a Finnish word meaning "small" or "little." It functions as both an adjective and a productive diminutive prefix, forming compound words that convey small size, youth, or affection. In everyday language, pikku adds a warm, informal nuance to the noun it modifies.

As a prefix, pikku commonly appears in compounds such as pikkutyttö (little girl) and pikkukaveri (small friend or buddy), among others. It can also stand alone in casual speech as a term of endearment or when referring to something in a diminutive or affectionate sense. The form can blend with different nouns, and its meaning is generally understood from context.

Pikku also exists in related adjectives such as pikkuriikkinen or pikkiriikki, which emphasize smallness to varying degrees. The word is a native Finnish element and is widely used across regions and generations in everyday discourse, literature, and media.

In Finnish culture, pikku appears in the names of children's programs, brands, and media titles that evoke a sense of approachability and child-friendliness. The best-known example is Pikku Kakkonen, a long-running Finnish children’s television program whose name uses pikku to signal its appeal to younger audiences.

Overall, pikku is a versatile and productive part of Finnish vocabulary, central to forming diminutives and conveying affectionate or diminutive meanings in both spoken and written Finnish.