Definition
Small, decorative objects of little value; cheap ornaments or knick-knacks.
Etymology
From Middle English 'trinket,' possibly from French 'tringle' (a rod or bar) or dialectal origin. The suffix '-et' makes it a diminutive, suggesting something small and fancy.
Kelly Says
The Victorian era was obsessed with trinkets—people displayed dozens of tiny useless objects as a status symbol showing they had money to spend on things that served no purpose. It's a fascinating reflection of consumerism!
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ትንሽ ነገሮች
tinish neg-er-och
BNবাংলা
ছোট্ট জিনিসেরা
chhotto jinish-er-a
CACatalà
petits objectes
peh-te oh-zhuh-tes
CSČeština
suvenýry
soo-ve-neer-y
DEDeutsch
Erinnerungsstücke
ehr-in-ner-ungs-shtook
ELΕλληνικά
μικρά σουβενίρ
mee-kra soo-ve-neer
ESEspañol
bisuterías
bee-soo-teh-ree-ah-s
FAفارسی
trinkets
trinkets
FISuomi
koristeita
ko-ri-stee-ta
FRFrançais
petits objets
peh-te oh-zhuh
GUGU
છોટી વસ્તુઓ
chho-ti vas-tu-o
HAHA
abubuwan guda
a-bu-bu-wan gu-da
HEעברית
סמלים קטנים
samelim katanim
HIहिन्दी
छोटी चीजें
chhoti cheez-en
HUMagyar
kisebb tárgyak
ki-sebb tar-gyak
IDBahasa Indonesia
barang kecil
ba-rang ke-cil
IGIG
ihe n'ime
ee-he neem-eh
ITItaliano
piccoli gioielli
pee-koh-li zho-yello
JA日本語
小 trinkets
chiisai trinkets
KKKK
кіші олжалар
ki-shi ol-ja-lar
KO한국어
장식품들
jang-sik-pum-deul
MRMR
लहान वस्तू
la-han vas-tu
MSBahasa Melayu
barang kecil
ba-rang ke-cil
MYမြန်မာ
ကျယ်လွယ်
kyay-le-lway
NLNederlands
souvenirs
so-ve-nir-s
PLPolski
drobnostki
d-ro-b-nost-ki
PTPortuguês
pequenas joias
peh-kweh-nas zho-yahs
RORomână
suveniruri
soo-ve-neer-oo-ree
RUРусский
безделушки
bez-de-lu-sh-ki
SVSvenska
prydnader
pree-d-na-der
SWKiswahili
vifaa vidogo
vi-faa vi-do-go
TAதமிழ்
சிறிய பொருட்கள்
siriya porukkal
TEతెలుగు
చిన్న పాత్రలు
chinna paatra-lu
THไทย
ของที่ระลึก
kong tee ra-leuk
TLTL
maliit na bagay
ma-li-it na ba-gay
TRTürkçe
küçük hediyeler
koo-chook hee-ye-deh-ler
UKУкраїнська
дрібнички
drib-nich-ki
URاردو
چھوٹے شے
chhote shay
VITiếng Việt
đồ trang sức nhỏ
doh trang suc nho
YOYO
àwọn ẹ̀kọ́
awon ekoko
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
The dismissal of women's handcraft, jewelry, and domestic production as 'trinkets' or decoration devalued women's skilled labor and creativity. This gendered devaluation persists in art markets and wage gaps.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'trinket' descriptively for small objects without judgment. If evaluating significance, assess actual cultural or material value rather than size.
Inclusive Alternatives
["keepsakes (for sentimental items)","decorative objects (neutral)","collectibles (for valuable items)"]
Empowerment Note
Women artisans and jewelers have produced culturally significant works across civilizations; reclaiming these as art rather than trinkets acknowledges their skill and legacy.