ちょっとだけ
chotto dake
In Japanese, "just a little bit" is expressed as ちょっとだけ (chotto dake).
The phrase is used to describe a small amount of something or a short period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ちょっと (chotto), meaning "a little" and だけ (dake), meaning "only" or "just".
Which one should you use?
While ちょっと means "a little", adding だけ emphasizes the limitation, resulting in "only a little" or "just a little".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a slightly more formal tone that remains casual, you can use 少し (sukoshi). In very formal or business settings, one might use 少々 (shōshō) instead of the colloquial ちょっと.
How do you pronounce it?
chotto dake
Did you know?
- In a social setting, saying ちょっと (chotto) on its own can act as a polite way to say 'no' or 'it is difficult' without being blunt. Instead of a direct rejection, it implies that something is 'a little bit' problematic or inconvenient.
- In Japanese, expressing 'just a little bit' is often a way to practice 'enryo', the cultural practice of modesty and restraint. People may say ちょっとだけ (chotto dake) to downplay their achievements or desires to avoid appearing greedy.
- The phrase ちょっとだけ is frequently used in 'kawaii' (cute) speech patterns, where speakers elongate the final vowel to sound more endearing or pleading when asking for a small favor.
Examples in context
- すごく待たせちゃってるのは分かってるんだけど、もうちょっとだけ待ってくれない？I know you've been waiting a long time, but could you wait just a little bit longer?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ちょっとだけ when asking someone to wait a little longer.Tatoeba #2290068 by tommy__san, translation #953517 by CK
- 私は少しだけ日本語を話せます。(Watashi wa sukoshi dake nihongo o hanasemasu.)I can speak Japanese just a little bit.
- お待ちください、ちょっとだけお時間をいただけますか？(Omachikudasai, chotto dake o-jikan o itadakemasu ka?)Please wait a moment, may I take just a little bit of your time?
- ちょっと待ってください。(Chotto matte kudasai.)Please wait a moment (just a little bit).
- 少し高いですね。(Sukoshi takai desu ne.)It's a bit expensive, isn't it?
- ちょっとだけ塩を入れてください。chotto dake shio o irete kudasai.Please add just a little bit of salt.
- 今日はちょっとだけ疲れました。kyou wa chotto dake tsukaremashita.I am just a little bit tired today.
Example conversation
A woman is helping her friend clean his room.
- 美咲 Misaki掃除、あとちょっとだけ頑張れる？souji, ato chotto dake ganbareru?Can you work hard just a little bit more on the cleaning?
- 蓮 Renうん、ちょっとだけなら大丈夫。un, chotto dake nara daijoubu.Yeah, if it's just a little bit, I'm okay.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮君、本当にすごいね。ren-kun, hontou ni sugoi ne.Ren, you are truly amazing.
- 蓮 Renそんなことないよ。sonna koto nai yo.That's not true.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
