Japanese word

わずか

Pronunciation

Romajiwazuka

Meaning

  • na-adjectivea little

Example

残り時間はわずかです。noko ri ji kan wa wa zu ka de su

There is only a little time left.

Illustration for わずか (a little)

More examples

彼はわずかなお金で昼食を買いました。kare wa wa zu ka na o kane de chū shoku o ka i ma shi ta

He bought lunch with very little money.

Core concept

Describes something as present in only a very small amount or to a very slight degree.

Common phrases

  • わずかな時間wa zu ka na ji kan

    a little time

  • わずかな違いwa zu ka na chiga i

    a slight difference

  • わずかなお金wa zu ka na o kane

    a little money

Similar words

かすかkasuka: Describes a sign, sound, light, or feeling as faint and barely noticeable.
些細sasai: Describes a matter or detail as small and unimportant.

Definition in Japanese

数量や程度が非常に少ないさま。sū ryō ya tei do ga hi jō ni suku na i sa ma

Word origin

わずか (wazuka) is a native Japanese word rather than a Sino-Japanese or borrowed term, with the earlier form わづか (wazuka) recorded in Japanese; no certain word formation is known.

Usage tips

  • When わずか (wazuka) modifies time or space, it commonly highlights how little remains or how short the distance is.

Other meanings

  • a fewna-adjective
  • slightna-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word