Translation guide
The English word "slight" has several distinct meanings: as an adjective it can mean small in degree, thin/slender, or insignificant; as a verb it means to treat with disrespect or ignore; as a noun it refers to an act of disrespect. This guide covers the most useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Means 'a little' or 'a small amount of'. Slightly more casual than わずかな.
少しの遅れ
a slight delay
Literally 'light', but often used for slight symptoms, injuries, or mild conditions.
Means 'faint' or 'barely perceptible'. Used for slight sounds, smells, hopes, etc.
Colloquial pre-noun phrase meaning 'a slight' or 'a little bit of'. Often used for minor things.
ちょっとしたミス
a slight mistake
Describing a person's physique as slim, slender, or slight.
Describes a slim, slender, or slight build, often with a positive connotation.
彼女はほっそりした体型だ。
She has a slight figure.
General word for 'thin' or 'slender', can refer to body parts or overall build.
細い腕
slight arms
Means 'delicate' or 'slight' in build, often implying fragility or elegance.
華奢な体つき
a slight build
Expressing that something is of little importance or consequence.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Commonly used for slight matters or details.
些細な問題
a slight problem
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'insignificant' or 'not worth mentioning'.
それは取るに足らないことだ。
That's a slight matter.
To deliberately ignore, snub, or treat someone as unimportant.
Means 'to slight', 'to despise', or 'to make light of'. Formal but clear.
彼は私の意見を軽んじた。
He slighted my opinion.
Means 'to ignore'. Often used when someone is deliberately overlooked.
彼女は私を無視した。
She slighted me.
Means 'to treat coldly' or 'to give the cold shoulder'. Implies a social slight.
彼は私を冷たくあしらった。
He slighted me.
Referring to an insult, snub, or act of disrespect.
Means 'insult' or 'slight'. Stronger than some alternatives.
それはひどい侮辱だ。
That's a terrible slight.
Means 'disregard' or 'slight'. Often used in formal contexts.
軽い (karui) means 'light' in weight, not 'slight' in build. Use ほっそりした or 華奢な for a slender physique.
彼は軽い。
He is light (in weight).
Both mean 'a slight amount', but わずかな emphasizes scarcity or a very small quantity, while 少しの is more neutral and common in everyday speech.
雨が降る可能性はわずかにある。
There is a slight chance of rain.
彼女は彼の言葉に侮辱されたと感じた。
She felt slighted by his comment.
His actions are a slight against me.