少し
sukoshi[sɨ̥ko̞ɕi]
The English phrase "a little bit" is translated into Japanese as 少し (sukoshi), meaning a small amount or a short period of time.
少し is used to describe a small quantity or a brief duration. You can also use the form もう少し to express the desire for "a little bit more" of something.
Which one should you use?
While 少し is the standard way to say "a little bit," the word ちょっと is a more common, colloquial alternative used in daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use "a little bit" as an adjective modifying a noun (for example, "a little bit of time"), you add the particle の to form 少しの.
How do you pronounce it?
sukoshi
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the colloquial ちょっと can be used as a polite way to decline an invitation without saying 'no' directly. By saying 'a little bit…', you signal that you are busy or unable to attend.
- The word ちょっと can be used as a way to get someone's attention, similar to saying 'Excuse me' or 'Hey there' in English.
- The word 少し is potentially linked to the adjective 少ない, which means 'few' or 'scarce'.
Examples in context
- 少し緊張してます。I'm a little bit nervous.This sentence is useful for expressing a state of being using 少し.Tatoeba #8604660 by small_snow, translation #4980213 by CK
- 私は少し疲れている。I'm a little bit tired.Tatoeba #155863 by tommy_san, translation #1464860 by Pandista
- もう少し小さくして。Please turn down the volume a little bit more.This sentence is useful for requesting a change in volume using 少し.Tatoeba #194093 by small_snow, translation #31262 by CK
- ちょっと待っていてもらえますか？Can you wait for me a little bit?
- 今日は少し暇です。I have a little bit of free time today.
- ちょっとだけゆっくり話していただけますか？Can you speak a little bit slower?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Misaki is checking if the coffee is too hot for Hiroto.
- 美咲 Misakiコーヒーは熱いですか？Kōhī wa atsui desu ka?Is the coffee hot?
- 大翔 Hiroto少し熱いですが、大丈夫です。Sukoshi atsui desu ga, daijōbu desu.It is a little bit hot, but it is okay.
- 美咲 Misaki少し待ちますか？Sukoshi machimasu ka?Should we wait a little bit?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいえ、すぐ飲めます。Iie, sugu nomemasu.No, I can drink it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 少し, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 少し, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
