Japanese word

少し

Pronunciation

Romajisukoshi

Meaning

  • adverba little

Example

水を少し飲みます。mizu o suko shi no mi ma su

I drink a little water.

Illustration for 少し (a little)

More examples

今日は少し寒いです。kyō wa suko shi samu i de su

It is a little cold today.

この料理は少し辛いです。ko no ryō ri wa suko shi tsura i de su

This dish is slightly spicy.

Core concept

It marks something as limited in amount or degree while leaving some amount or effect present.

Common phrases

  • もう少しmō suko shi

    a little more

  • 少しずつsuko shi zu tsu

    little by little

Similar words

ちょっとchotto: It indicates a small amount or degree and is common in casual speech.

Definition in Japanese

量や程度がわずかであることを表す。ryō ya tei do ga wa zu ka de a ru ko to o arawa su

Word origin

少し (sukoshi, "a little") is a native Japanese word related to 少ない (sukunai, "few"), and both express the idea of a small amount.

Usage tips

  • 少し (sukoshi) can modify an adjective as well as a verb, as in 少し寒い (sukoshi samui), meaning that something is slightly cold.

Other meanings

  • a fewadverb
  • slightlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word