чуть-чуть
chut'-chut'
The English phrase 'a little bit' can be translated into Russian as чуть-чуть (chut'-chut').
The phrase чуть-чуть is used to modify adjectives, adverbs or verbs to indicate a very small degree or amount.
Which one should you use?
While чуть-чуть and немного both mean 'a little bit', чуть-чуть is more colloquial and emphasizes a smaller, more negligible amount than the more neutral немного.
How does it change in a sentence?
чуть-чуть is an indeclinable adverbial expression, meaning it does not change its form based on gender, number or case.
How do you pronounce it?
chut'-chut'
Did you know?
- Russian speakers often accompany the phrase чуть-чуть with a gesture of bringing their thumb and index finger very close together to visually emphasize the tiny amount.
- The word чуть can also mean 'almost' or 'nearly' in certain contexts, such as чуть не упал, which means 'I almost fell'.
- If you want to express an even smaller amount, you can use чуточку, a diminutive form that makes the phrase sound even more delicate or tiny.
Examples in context
- Я откушу совсем чуть-чуть.I will bite off just a little bit.This sentence shows how to use чуть-чуть to describe a small amount being bitten.Tatoeba #13699939 by gregoryguy, translation #27800 by AlanF_US
- Мы можем ещё чуть-чуть подождать?Can we wait a little bit longer?This sentence shows how to use чуть-чуть to describe a small amount of time spent waiting.Tatoeba #4802389 by odexed, translation #1886260 by CK
- Том лишь чуть-чуть выше, чем Мэри.Tom is only just a little bit taller than Mary.This sentence shows how to use чуть-чуть to modify an adjective to show a small difference in height.Tatoeba #7432552 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #3542263 by CK
- Нам нужно немного времени на решение этой проблемы.We need a little bit of time to solve this problem
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are working together in a kitchen.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы можешь добавить чуть-чуть соли?Ty mozhesh' dobavit' chut'-chut' soli?Can you add a little bit of salt?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, конечно. Еще нужно?Da, konechno. Yeshche nuzhno?Yes, of course. Do you need more?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, этого достаточно.Net, etogo dostatochno.No, that is enough.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, я закончила.Khorosho, ya zakonchila.Okay, I'm finished.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
