تھوڑا سا
The English phrase 'little bit' translates to Urdu as تھوڑا سا.
The phrase تھوڑا سا is used to express a small amount of something, such as in the phrase thora sa garam pani (a little bit of hot water).
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word تھوڑا (thora) means 'little' or 'few', and سا (sa) is a particle used to mean 'approximately' or to soften the amount, effectively translating to 'a little bit'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle سا (sa) can be dropped to simply say تھوڑا (thora) to mean 'little' or 'some' without the softening effect.
Did you know?
- The particle سا (sa) can be attached to colors to mean 'ish', such as saying 'a little bit red' to describe something that is not fully red.
- The phrase تھوڑا سا (thora sa) is used to make a request sound more polite and less demanding in Urdu.
- The word تھوڑا (thora) traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word stoká, which originally referred to a 'drop' or a 'dot'.
Examples in context
- تھوڑا سا پانیA little bit of water
- کیا آپ تھوڑا سا نمک دے سکتے ہیں؟kya aap thora sa namak de sakte hain?Can you give me a little bit of salt?
Example conversation
Zainab and Ali are having tea together.
- زینب Zainabعلی، کیا آپ کو چائے میں تھوڑا سا دودھ چاہیے؟Ali, kya aap ko chai mein thora sa doodh chahiye?Ali, do you want a little bit of milk in your tea?
- علی Aliجی، تھوڑا سا ڈال دیں۔Ji, thora sa daal dein.Yes, please add a little bit.
- زینب Zainabٹھیک ہے، میں ابھی ڈالتی ہوں۔Theek hai, mein abhi daalti hoon.Okay, I will add it now.
- علی Aliشکریہ، زینب۔Shukriya, Zainab.Thank you, Zainab.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تھوڑا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
