How to Say "Only a Little" in Italian

solo un po'

Only a little in Italian is solo un po', used for a small amount or a slight degree.

Use solo un po' for a small quantity, like a little milk or before an adjective to mean only slightly, like only a little older.

What does it mean word for word?

solo means only and un po' means a little.

Solo un pochino. is a more casual, softer way to say only a little bit.

un po' is a shortened form of the word for a little, which is why it ends with an apostrophe. Before a noun, add di, as in solo un po' di.

While solo un po' describes a small amount, Italians may use the gesture of pinching their fingers together to visually signal 'just a little bit'.
The Italian word solo comes from the Latin sōlus, meaning 'alone'.
The word solo shares a root with the English word 'solo' used in music, which refers to a single performer.

C'è rimasto solo un po' di latte.
There's only a little milk left.
solo un po' di is followed by the noun for milk, so it means only a little milk.
Tatoeba #2509094 by Guybrush88, translation #19469 by CK
Tom è solo un po' più anziano di Mary.
Tom is only a little older than Mary.
Here solo un po' comes before the word for older, meaning only slightly older.
Tatoeba #2863411 by Guybrush88, translation #2583957 by CK
Vorrei solo un po' di pane. Grazie.
I'd like only a little bread. Thank you.
Ho solo un po' di tempo oggi.
I only have a little time today.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Giulia is serving food to Francesco.

Sources

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