Kih vs. 'ika

How to use kih (small) and 'ika (diminutive/small-version marker)

Kih is an adjective that means "small, little" or adverb meaning "slightly, in a small manner." It can be used for size, stature, or age. For example, the opposite of ori'vod is (unofficially) kih'vod. 

The suffix 'ika has a few uses, and to turn something into a "baby" version is not one of them. These are the most common ones.

• It can be used to create a word meaning to describe an inanimate object that is smaller, similar version of an inanimate object (such as me'suum and me'suum'ika).

• It can turn an adjective into a nickname (such as seen with cyar'ika or vaar'ika).

• With verd'ika, think of this term as "junior warrior," though the word can also be used as a nickname for a child or pet.

• It can turn a term for a family member into an affectionate term used to indicate a closer relationship. For example, ad'ika (which is an affectionate term used by parents for their children, regardless of age; or by older adults for younger people they are fond of, regardless of age or relationship) and vod'ika (an affectionate nickname for anyone you'd use vod for). 

• It can turn a person's name into a very familiar nickname used only by family members and close friends (such as Ordo vs. Ord'ika).