Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| kaunti | /kaʔunˈtiʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈkontiʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| onti | |
| medyo | /ˈmedjo/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈmedjo/ |
The way you say "a little" depends on whether you are describing a small quantity of something or a moderate degree of a state. Use kaunti to refer to a small amount or quantity. Use medyo as an adverb to express a moderate degree, often used to soften an adjective similarly to "somewhat" or "kind of" in English.
Which one should you use?
Kaunti refers to a small quantity or amount of something. In contrast, medyo is used to express a moderate degree or to mean "somewhat" regarding an adjective or a state.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
kaunti lamang is a more formal way to say "a little" used in situations like formal interviews or business meetings. Onti is a colloquial shortening of kaunti used in casual conversation. In informal situations, konti lang is used, which can be made more polite and formal when talking to someone older or an authority figure by adding po to say konti lang po.
How does it change in a sentence?
When kaunti modifies a noun, it often takes the linker -ng to become kaunting.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʔunˈtiʔ/
Did you know?
- Even though medyo means 'a little' or 'somewhat' in Tagalog, its direct ancestor is the Spanish word medio, which literally means 'half'.
- Adding the word lang to konti doesn't just mean 'a little', it often acts as a humble disclaimer to downplay an achievement or a request.
- The word medyo can be used as a standalone answer to a question, functioning as a vague 'somewhat' to avoid giving a direct 'yes' or 'no'.
Examples in context
- Medyo nagulat lang ako.I'm just a little surprised.This sentence shows how to use medyo to describe a feeling.Tatoeba #8665892 by artemio, translation #2543565 by CK
- Gusto mo ng kaunting keyk?Do you want a little cake?This sentence shows how kaunti (in its modified form kaunting) modifies a noun.Tatoeba #1885776 by nonong, translation #434632 by lukaszpp
- Medyo masakit ang leeg ko.My neck hurts a little.This sentence shows how medyo can be used to soften an adjective describing physical sensation.Tatoeba #11447165 by qwertzu, translation #3831729 by CK
- Pasensya na, konti lang ang aking nalalaman na Tagalog.Sorry, I can only speak a little Tagalog.
- Puwede mo ba akong turuan ng konti lang?Can you teach me a little?
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Angela are talking about their skill in a new language.
- RicardoMarunong ka ba magsalita ng Pranses?Do you know how to speak French?
- AngelaKaunti lang ang alam ko.I only know a little.
- RicardoKailangan natin ng tutor para sa biyahe.We need a tutor for the trip.
- AngelaOo, mag-aral tayo nang kaunti araw-araw.Yes, let's study a little every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “a little” translations and entries kaunti, medyo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaunti, medyo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
