少し
sukoshi[sɨ̥ko̞ɕi]
The English phrase "a few" can be translated into Japanese as 少し (sukoshi).
少し is used to denote a small number of items.
Meaning: a small number of (det)
Which one should you use?
While 少し is a standard way to express both "a little" (amount) and "a few" (number), the word chotto is a more colloquial way to express the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 少し as an adjective that directly modifies a noun, you often add the particle no to form 少しの.
How do you pronounce it?
sukoshi
Did you know?
- In spoken Japanese, the colloquial version ちょっと is often used alone to politely decline an invitation or say 'no' without ever using a negative word.
- In highly formal Japanese, people may avoid 少し and instead use 少々 shōshō, which is almost exclusively reserved for business settings or service industry staff addressing customers.
- In many contexts, saying 少し can actually be a way of being modest about one's own skills or achievements, even if you are quite proficient.
Examples in context
- 私に少しください。Give me a few.This sentence is useful for practicing a request using 少し.Tatoeba #164367 by bunbuku, translation #250142 by CK
- 友達なら少しいるよ。I have a few friends.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 少し when counting people.Tatoeba #152491 by bunbuku, translation #262059 by CK
- 少しなら時間あるよ。I have a few minutes.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 少し regarding time.Tatoeba #12510838 by bunbuku, translation #2358709 by CK
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a party.
- 陽太 Yotaパーティーに誰が来るの？Paatii ni dare ga kuru no?Who is coming to the party?
- 美咲 Misaki少し友達を呼んだよ。Sukoshi tomodachi o yonda yo.I invited a few friends.
- 陽太 Yotaいいな。僕も行っていい？Ii na. Boku mo itte ii?Nice. Can I go too?
- 美咲 Misakiもちろん。陽太も来てね。Mochiron. Youta mo kite ne.Of course. You should come too, Yota.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 少し, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
