아주 조금
aju jogeum
The English phrase "very little" is translated into Korean as 아주 조금 (aju jogeum).
The phrase is used to describe a small amount or a low degree of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 아주, which means "very" and 조금, which means "a little" or "a small amount".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to say "only a very little", you can add the particle 만 to the end of the phrase to create 아주 조금만, which emphasizes that the amount is just or only a very small amount.
How do you pronounce it?
aju jogeum
Did you know?
- The word 조금 can be used as a polite 'no' in certain social contexts. If someone offers you more food, saying 조금 with a hesitant tone can signal that you have had enough.
- The word 아주 has a double meaning and can also mean 'completely' or 'entirely'. Depending on the context, it can shift from emphasizing a small amount to describing a total state.
- In casual speech, 조금 is frequently shortened to 좀. While this sounds like 'a little', it often functions as a softener to make a request sound less demanding and more polite.
Examples in context
- 설탕을 아주 조금만 넣어 주세요.seol-tang-eul a-ju jo-geum-man neo-eo ju-se-yo.Please put in just a very little bit of sugar.
- 남은 시간이 아주 조금 있어요.nam-eun si-gan-i a-ju jo-geum iss-eo-yo.There is very little time left.
- 그는 돈이 아주 조금 있어요.geu-neun don-i a-ju jo-geum iss-eo-yo.He has very little money.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are deciding what to eat at a cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 커피에 설탕 아주 조금 넣을까요?Ji-eun ssi, keo-pi-e seol-tang a-ju jo-geum neo-eul-kka-yo?Jieun, shall we put a very little bit of sugar in the coffee?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 아주 조금만 넣어 주세요.Ne, a-ju jo-geum-man neo-eo ju-se-yo.Yes, please put in just a very little bit.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨는 단 걸 별로 안 좋아하죠?Ji-eun ssi-neun dan geol byeol-lo an jo-a-ha-jyo?Jieun, you don't like sweet things much, right?
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 아주 조금만 넣는 게 좋아요.Ma-ja-yo, a-ju jo-geum-man neo-neun ge jo-a-yo.That's right, I like putting in only a very little bit.
