Translation guide
In English, 'few' emphasizes a small number, often with a negative nuance (not many). Japanese expresses this through adjectives like 少ない, adverbs like 少ししか～ない, and other patterns. The choice depends on what is being counted and the sentence structure.
人が少ないです。
There are few people.
Express that there are not many of something, often with a sense of insufficiency.
The most common adjective meaning 'few' or 'scarce'. Used for countable and uncountable things. Often implies 'not enough'.
この町にはレストランが少ない。
There are few restaurants in this town.
参加者が少なかった。
There were few participants.
Pattern meaning 'only a few' or 'not many'. Emphasizes the small quantity more strongly than 少ない alone. 少し (a little) + しか (only) + negative verb.
冷蔵庫に食べ物が少ししかない。
There are only a few things to eat in the fridge.
彼は友達が少ししかいない。
He has very few friends.
Noun meaning 'small number' or 'minority'. More formal and often used in written or statistical contexts.
少数の意見も尊重すべきだ。
The opinions of the few should also be respected.
Literally 'the number is small'. A clear way to say 'few in number'.
応募者の数が少ない。
The number of applicants is few.
Express that there is a small number, but enough or simply stating existence without negative nuance.
Means 'a few' or 'some' for countable items. Neutral, does not imply insufficiency.
いくつか質問があります。
I have a few questions.
机の上に本がいくつかある。
There are a few books on the desk.
Means 'a little' or 'a few'. Can be used for both countable and uncountable things. Often used with の for nouns.
少しの間待ってください。
Please wait for a few moments.
少しのお金があれば十分です。
A little money is enough.
Specifically means 'a few people'. Used for counting people.
数人の友達が来た。
A few friends came.
Means 'a few items' (small objects). More specific counter.
Express that the number is larger than expected, often translated as 'quite a few' or 'a fair number'.
Means 'a considerable number of'. Used before nouns.
かなりの数の人が集まった。
Quite a few people gathered.
Adverb meaning 'quite a lot' or 'fairly many'. Casual.
結構人が来たね。
Quite a few people came, huh.
Describe events or things that are rare or occur at long intervals.
Means 'rare' or 'infrequent'. Can be used for events or things.
そんなチャンスはまれだ。
Such chances are few and far between.
Pattern meaning 'rarely' or 'seldom'. Used with negative verb.
彼はめったに怒らない。
He rarely gets angry.
In English, 'few' has a negative nuance (not many), while 'a few' is neutral or positive (some). Japanese does not have this exact distinction through articles. Use 少ない for negative 'few', and いくつか or 少し for 'a few'. Context and intonation can also convey the nuance.
友達が少ない。
I have few friends. (negative)
友達が少しだけいる。
I have a few friends. (neutral/positive)
少ない simply states the small number. 少ししか～ない emphasizes the limitation and often carries a stronger sense of 'only a few' or 'not enough'. 少ししか～ない is more colloquial and emphatic.
お金が少ない。
Money is scarce.
お金が少ししかない。
I have very little money (and it's a problem).
真実を知っている人は少ない。
Few people know the truth.
テーブルの上にリンゴがいくつかある。
There are a few apples on the table.
I bought a few apples.