The word little is the one we use the most when we want to refer to that which shows a reduced size or a short stature in relation to the others that belong to the same category or species. Juan Martín is the smallest of his commission. My car is the smallest in the garage.
Also when something appears scarce in number the word small is used to refer to it.
Another equally frequent use that we give to the word small is for indicate how young or young a person is. My sister the youngest, first I come, then my brother Juan and finally Maria. Meanwhile, and by extension of this use, we also use the word small a lot in common language as synonym of children. My sister's little ones are very naughty.
Also, when something is of short length, of limited importance, or of fleeting intensity the word small is often used to account for the situation. So we can find: The special class given by the consultant was so small that I was disappointed. Fortunately, her leg cut is small and did not have to be sewn..
On the other hand, to those issues that stand out for present low status or low power they are usually described as small. The pension that my grandmother receives is so small that she is not enough to support herself. The organization is small, it will not be able to impose its voice and vote in the assembly.
AND small is an extremely popular expression that we usually use when the purpose is to refer that something or someone is similar to another, although with a much smaller measure and proportion. You are your father but in small.
The concept that is directly opposed to that of small is big.
