Results of x-ray spectroscopy, namely x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, on CdS nanoparticles of different sizes are presented. The signals could be associated with specific atoms inside the cluster structure which is known from single crystal x-ray diffraction. X-ray absorption measurements performed with different beam intensities lead to significant changes in the spectra. Radiation damage in CdS nanoparticles resulting from the high beam intensities is discussed for the first time. Also in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed with very high energy resolution (0.25 eV), evidence is gained for radiation damage, particularly for the smallest nanoparticles investigated.