Japanese word

少々

Pronunciation

Romajishōshō

Meaning

  • adverba little

Example

少々お待ちください。shō shō o ma chi ku da sa i

Please wait a moment.

Illustration for 少々 (a little)

More examples

この料理は少々辛いです。ko no ryō ri wa shō shō tsura i de su

This dish is a little spicy.

Core concept

Presents something as limited in quantity or duration rather than completely absent or finished.

Common phrases

  • 少々お待ちくださいshō shō o ma chi ku da sa i

    Please wait a moment

  • 少々お待ちをshō shō o ma chi o

    please wait a moment

Similar words

少しsukoshi: To a small extent or in a small amount in ordinary conversation.
ちょっとchotto: To a small extent or for a short period, with a casual tone.

Definition in Japanese

数量や程度、時間などがほんのわずかであるさま。sū ryō ya tei do ji kan na do ga ho n no wa zu ka de a ru sa ma

Word origin

少々 (shōshō) is a Sino-Japanese reduplication of 少 (shō, "little"); repeating the character gives the sense of a small amount or degree.

Usage tips

  • 少々 (shōshō) is common in polite requests for a short wait, while 少し (sukoshi) is more neutral in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • a fewadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word