How to Say "Just a Little" in Japanese

少しだけ

sukoshi dake

少しだけ (sukoshi dake) is the Japanese phrase for "just a little".

The phrase 少しだけ is used to describe a small amount or a short period of time.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 少し (sukoshi), meaning "a little" and だけ (dake), meaning "only" or "just".

While 少しだけ is the standard form, you may encounter ちょっとだけ, which is a more colloquial and common way to say "just a little" in daily conversation.

sukoshi dake

In Japanese, the word 少し (sukoshi) is often used as a euphemism to mean 'no' or 'it is difficult' when a person wants to decline an offer politely without being blunt.
The phrase ちょっと can be used as an interjection to get someone's attention, similar to saying 'Excuse me' or 'Hey' in English.
In very formal business settings, a person might replace 少し (sukoshi) with the more humble and formal 少々 (shoushou) to mean 'just a little'.

トムはメアリーより少しだけ大きい。
Tom is just a little taller than Mary is.
This sentence shows how to use 少しだけ to describe a small difference in height.
Tatoeba #8405195 by Ninja, translation #5915336 by CK
美容院で、前髪は少しだけ切って欲しいって言ったのに、見てよ、このぱっつん前髪。
At the beauty parlour I told them I wanted just a little taken off of my bangs, but look, completely straight!
This sentence illustrates a situation where someone requested 少しだけ of an action to be performed.
Tatoeba #1222749 by bunbuku, translation #10011876 by tsp_2
少しだけ塩を入れてください。
Sukoshi dake shio o irete kudasai.
Please add just a little salt.

Hiyori and Yota are deciding how long to take a break.

陽葵 Himari

休憩しましょうか？
Kyuukei shimashou ka?
Shall we take a break?
陽太 Yota

いいですね。でも、少しだけにしておこう。
Ii desu ne. Demo, sukoshidake ni shite okou.
That sounds good. But let's make it just a little bit.
陽葵 Himari

わかった。五分で戻ろう。
Wakatta. Gofun de modorou.
Got it. Let's come back in five minutes.
陽太 Yota

それで十分だよ。
Sore de juubun dayo.
That should be enough.

Sources

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