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.
Expressing that something is small, minor, or slight in degree, amount, or intensity.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning 'a slight amount of' or 'a little'. Very common and natural.
a slight difference
a slight possibility
Means 'a little' or 'a small amount of'. Slightly more casual than わずかな.
a slight delay
Literally 'light', but often used for slight symptoms, injuries, or mild conditions.
a slight cold
a slight headache
Means 'faint' or 'barely perceptible'. Used for slight sounds, smells, hopes, etc.
a slight sound
a slight hope
Colloquial pre-noun phrase meaning 'a slight' or 'a little bit of'. Often used for minor things.
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.
She has a slight figure.
General word for 'thin' or 'slender', can refer to body parts or overall build.
Means 'delicate' or 'slight' in build, often implying fragility or elegance.
a slight build
Expressing that something is of little importance or consequence.
To deliberately ignore, snub, or treat someone as unimportant.
Means 'to slight', 'to despise', or 'to make light of'. Formal but clear.
He slighted my opinion.
Means 'to ignore'. Often used when someone is deliberately overlooked.
She slighted me.
Means 'to treat coldly' or 'to give the cold shoulder'. Implies a social slight.
He slighted me.
Referring to an insult, snub, or act of disrespect.
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.
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.
a slight (faint) hope
a little sugar
There is a slight chance of rain.
She felt slighted by his comment.
細い腕
slight arms
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'insignificant' or 'not worth mentioning'.
That's a slight matter.
彼の行動は私への軽視だ。
His actions are a slight against me.