ちょっと
chotto[t͡ɕo̞t̚to̞]
In Japanese, "a bit" is expressed as ちょっと (chotto).
ちょっと is used to describe a small amount or a short period of time. It can also serve as a polite or indirect way to express that something is inconvenient or problematic, functioning as a euphemism to avoid saying "no" directly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ちょっと is an informal term. It is the informal counterpart to the more polite word 少々 (shōshō). In casual spoken language, you may also encounter ちょい, which is a very casual way to say "a bit".
How does it change in a sentence?
ちょっと functions as an adverb and can be placed before verbs or adjectives to modify their intensity.
How do you pronounce it?
chotto
When do people say it?
Because direct refusal can sometimes be seen as blunt, Japanese speakers often use ちょっと to politely decline an invitation or suggest that a situation is slightly difficult.
Did you know?
- In many social contexts, saying ちょっと… and trailing off mid-sentence is more common than actually finishing your sentence.
- Depending on the tone, saying ちょっと! as a single exclamation can actually function as a mild way to say 'Hey!' or 'Wait a minute!' to get someone's attention.
- The word ちょっと is actually an intensified version of the older word ちと, where the middle consonant was doubled to add emphasis.
Examples in context
- ちょっと待って。Wait a bit.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to wait a bit using ちょっと.Tatoeba #1064324 by bunbuku, translation #3696774 by Lindoula
- ちょっと忙しい。I'm a bit busy.This sentence shows how to use ちょっと to modify an adjective like "busy".Tatoeba #2226725 by bunbuku, translation #2046661 by CK
- ちょっと待てよ！Wait a bit!This sentence shows an example of using ちょっと when telling someone to wait a bit.Tatoeba #10465520 by small_snow, translation #6204897 by sundown
- ちょっと待ってください、少し考えさせてください。Please wait a moment, let me think a bit.
- 彼の話はちょっと退屈でした。His story was a bit boring.
- この問題はやや難しいです。This problem is a bit difficult.
- 今ちょっと忙しいから後で連絡するね。I'm a bit busy now, so I'll contact you later.
- ちょい待って、返信を確認してくる。Wait a sec, I'll go check my messages.
- 144 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a movie.
- 陽太 Yotaこの映画はどうでしたか？Kono eiga wa dou deshita ka?How was this movie?
- 美咲 Misakiちょっと長すぎました。Chotto nagasugimashita.It was a bit too long.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだったんですね。Sou datta n desu ne.I see.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、物語は面白かったです。Demo, monogatari wa omoshirokatta desu.But the story was interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ちょっと, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ちょっと, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
