Chinese word

稍

Pronunciation

Pinyinshāo

Meaning

  • adverba little

Example

请稍等一下。qǐng shāo děng yí xià

Please wait a little.

Illustration for 稍 (a little)

More examples

今天温度稍低，要注意保暖。jīn tiān wēn dù shāo dī yào zhù yì báo nuǎn

Today's temperature is a little low, so dress warmly.

Core concept

A small adjustment in amount, degree, or time that often makes a request gentler.

Common phrases

  • 请稍等qǐng shāo děng

    Please wait a little

  • 稍微一点儿shāo wēi yì diǎnr

    a little bit

  • 温度稍低wēn dù shāo dī

    a little low

Similar words

稍微shāo wēi: An adverb meaning slightly or just a little in degree, amount, or condition.
一点儿yì diǎnr: A colloquial adverb for a small amount or degree, often used in everyday speech.
有点儿yóu diǎnr: A colloquial adverb showing that a quality or condition feels somewhat stronger than expected.
略微lüè wēi: A somewhat formal adverb for a very slight difference or degree.

Definition in Chinese

常用于缓和语气或表示短暂时间和轻微程度，相当于“稍微”“有点儿”，常见于请求或应答的礼貌用法。cháng yòng yú huǎn hé yǔ qì huò biǎo shì duǎn zàn shí jiān hé qīng wēi chéng dù xiāng dāng yú shāo wēi yóu diǎnr cháng jiàn yú qǐng qiú huò yìng dá de lǐ mào yòng fǎ

Word origin

In 稍 (shāo, "a little"), 禾 (hé, "grain") recalls an older grain-related meaning, while 肖 (xiāo, "phonetic element") marks the sound; the modern adverb expresses limited degree or duration.

Usage tips

  • 稍 (shāo, "a little") normally comes before a verb or adjective, and this compact placement is especially common in brief service exchanges and polite requests.

Other meanings

  • slightlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word