Is there a difference between using 小さいand 小さな?

i know they mean the same thing, but does using one over the other in a sentence change anything? Why are there two versions?

3 comments
  1. The main difference, practically speaking, is that ちいさな can only be used in front of a noun. One more small difference is that ちいさな is used for making a subjective remark, while 小さい is more objective. Similarly, there are also 大きな and おかしな for example.

  2. the na forms are also more commonly used in poetry and song lyrics. It sounds more poetic.

  3. My Japanese teacher explained also that the な versions put more emphasis on the adjective. I think this coincides with the objective/subjective difference in the other comments.

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