Translation guide
The English word "little" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: small size, a small amount, a short time, and as a term of endearment. It also includes the quantifier use (a little vs. little) and adverbial use.
Describing something as physically small or compact.
The most common and general word for 'small' or 'little'. Can be used for objects, people, animals, etc.
That dog is little, isn't it?
Please give me a little box.
Pre-noun adjectival form of 小さい, often used in written or slightly more literary contexts. It directly modifies a noun.
I live in a little town.
Means 'small' in the sense of fine, detailed, or minute. Used for things like print, particles, or details.
Little letters are hard to read.
Expressing a small quantity of something, like water, time, money, etc. Distinguish between 'a little' (some) and 'little' (not much).
The most common way to say 'a little' or 'a small amount of'. 少し (すこし) means 'a little'. Add の before a noun.
Please give me a little water.
A little money is enough.
More casual than 少し. Often used in spoken Japanese.
Please wait for a little while.
To express 'little' in the negative sense (almost none), use ほとんど + negative verb/adjective. This corresponds to 'little' without 'a'.
Also means 'not much' or 'little', but slightly less emphatic than ほとんど～ない. Used with verbs and adjectives.
I have little time.
Referring to a brief period or a short distance.
Modifying verbs or adjectives to mean 'slightly' or 'a bit'.
Using 'little' affectionately to refer to someone or something small and cute.
Japanese often uses the suffix ～ちゃん for children, pets, or cute things, or simply uses the person's name without 'little'. There is no direct translation; context and tone convey affection.
Using 小さな before a noun can convey affection, similar to 'little' in English.
my little sister
Emphasizing a lack of something, often with a negative connotation.
As above, this is the primary way to express 'little' meaning 'almost none'.
There is little hope.
Used for frequency: 'little' as in 'rarely'. めったに + negative verb.
He little smiles. (He rarely smiles.)
Both mean 'a little', but ちょっと is more casual and often used in spoken Japanese. 少し is neutral and can be used in both speech and writing. In formal situations, 少々 (しょうしょう) is preferred.
Do not directly translate 'a little' with 小さい (which means 'small in size'). Use 少し or ちょっと for adverbial 'a little'.
For countable nouns (e.g., 'a few books'), use 少しの + noun or 少数の (しょうすうの) for 'a small number of'. Avoid using 'little' directly for countable items in English; in Japanese, 少し can sometimes be used for both, but 少数 is more precise.
She is a little tired.
What a cute little dog!
Little money remains.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a little.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a little moment.