少
few, little
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- すく.ない
- すこ.し
Meaning
少 centers on a small amount or number: something is few, little, or scarce. It describes a lack of quantity rather than physical size.
Most common words using 少
24 of 237- 少しすこしN5
a little; a bit; a small amount; a few; some; slightly; somewhat
- 少ないすくないN5
few; little; small (amount); low; scarce; insufficient; seldom; rare
- 少女しょうじょN3
girl (usu. between 7 and 17); young lady
- 少年しょうねんN3
boy
- 少なくともすくなくともN3
at least
- 多少たしょうN3
a little; some; somewhat; slightly; to some degree; to some extent
- 減少げんしょうN2
decrease; reduction; decline
- 少々しょうしょうN4
a little; a bit; a small amount; a few; a pinch; some
- 少数しょうすうN3
small number; few; minority
- 少佐しょうさ
major; lieutenant commander; wing commander
- 幼少ようしょう
infancy; childhood; tender age
- 数少ないかずすくない
few in number
- 希少きしょうN1
scarce; rare
- 少量しょうりょうN3
small quantity; small amount
- 青少年せいしょうねんN2
young people; youth; the younger generation
- 少尉しょうい
second lieutenant; sublieutenant; ensign
- 最年少さいねんしょう
youngest
- 少額しょうがく
small sum (of money); small amount
- 少将しょうしょう
major general; rear admiral; air commodore
- 最少さいしょうN3
fewest; least; smallest (number); lowest; minimum
- 少なからずすくなからずN1
considerably; not a little; in no small numbers
- 少数意見しょうすういけん
minority opinion
- 少しもすこしもN3
(not) at all; (not) a bit; (not) in the least; (not) in the slightest
- 少しょうN2
small; little; few
Study
Etymology
少 is derived from 小 (small) with an additional stroke, likely to emphasize the idea of a small quantity or scarcity. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the relationship to 小 is clear.
Meaning mnemonic
少 looks like 小 (small) with one extra stroke, as if a tiny drop has been added to show that there is only a little bit left. Think of a small pile of sand with one grain falling off: few, little.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a show where only a few people attend: the show is small and the audience is little. Show -> ショウ.