Meaning
Primary Meaning:
size
Mnemonic:
A fishing harbour had a shark problem where all of a sudden sharks of all sizes swam near the harbour. It was too difficult to try attack the big (大) ones so a fisherman decided to catch small (小) sharks before they grow big.
Alternative Meaning:
magnitude, size, measurement, large and small, at any rate, adults and children, and consideration of seniority
Reading
Mnemonic:
The little shark took a bite of the dangling (dà) bait and the fisherman rejoiced and shouted (xiǎo) to his helper for support.
Alternative Reading:
da4 xiao3 and da xiao