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 or with those they want to establish superiority over, regardless of actual age or relationship), vod'ika (an affectionate nickname for anyone you'd use vod for), and buir'ika (an affectionate nickname for a parent).

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