Translation guide
Expresses a short, indefinite period of time. The most common and natural way is ちょっと (chotto), which is versatile and used in many contexts. Other options exist for slightly longer durations or more formal situations.
The speaker wants to refer to a brief, unspecified duration, often in casual conversation.
The most common and versatile word for 'a little while'. Can mean a short time, a little bit, or even 'excuse me' in some contexts. Very natural in spoken Japanese.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a little while.
ちょっと前までここにいた。
He was here a little while ago.
Means 'a little' or 'a small amount', and can refer to time. Slightly more formal than ちょっと, but still common.
少し休みましょう。
Let's rest for a little while.
Formal version of 少し, often used in business or polite requests. Sounds stiff in casual conversation.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a little while. (formal)
The speaker refers to something that happened a short time before the present.
Means 'a little while ago' or 'just now'. Very common in conversation.
さっき電話があったよ。
There was a phone call a little while ago.
Literally 'a little before', used to mean 'a short while ago'. More casual than さっき.
ちょっと前に食べたばかりだ。
I just ate a little while ago.
The speaker wants to express doing something for a short period of time.
Means 'for a while' or 'for some time'. Can be used for both short and somewhat longer periods. Often used with verbs in the te-form + いる.
しばらくここで待っていてください。
Please wait here for a little while.
しばらく会っていない。
I haven't seen him for a while.
Literally 'for a short interval'. More explicit about the short duration.
少しの間、目を閉じてください。
Please close your eyes for a little while.
The speaker refers to something that will happen after a short time from now.
Means 'soon' or 'in a little while'. Very common for near-future events.
もうすぐ雨がやむでしょう。
It will stop raining in a little while.
Formal equivalent of もうすぐ, often used in announcements or writing.
間もなく電車が参ります。
The train will arrive in a little while. (formal)