瘦小 (shòuxiǎo) is an adjective that literally combines 瘦 (shòu, 'thin' or 'slim') and 小 (xiǎo, 'small'), describing someone or something that is both physically small in stature and slender or underweight. It often carries a neutral or slightly sympathetic connotation—emphasizing fragility, youthfulness, or lack of robustness rather than illness or malnutrition. Unlike the standalone word 瘦, which focuses only on low body mass, and 小, which refers only to size, 瘦小 implies a combined impression: compact yet delicate, petite yet lacking bulk.

This term is frequently used to describe young children, certain animal breeds (e.g., small dog or cat varieties), or occasionally adults with naturally slight builds. It’s more common in descriptive or observational contexts—such as medical notes, pet adoption profiles, or literary character sketches—than in casual self-description. While it can apply to people, it’s especially prevalent in veterinary or animal husbandry contexts when distinguishing physical types.