Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'a few' depends on what you are counting. For small countable objects, use 二、三 (に、さん) or 数 (すう) + counter. For an indefinite small number, いくつか or 少し are common. The choice varies by formality and context.
The speaker refers to roughly two or three items, or a small unspecified number.
Means 'several' or 'a few'. Slightly more formal than 二、三. Common in writing and formal speech.
Means 'a few' or 'some' for unspecified countable items. Casual and versatile. Often used without a specific counter.
いくつか質問があります。
I have a few questions.
Usually means 'a little' (uncountable), but can be used for countable things in casual speech, often with the particle の.
For countable objects, 少し is less precise than 二、三 or 数. It may sound like 'a small amount' rather than 'a few items'.
少しの間
for a few moments
The speaker refers to a small group of people, typically two or three.
The speaker refers to a small quantity of something that cannot be counted individually.
The standard word for 'a little' or 'a small amount'. Works for liquids, time, abstract concepts, etc.
少し水をください。
Please give me a little water.
少し時間があります。
I have a little time.
Formal equivalent of 少し. Common in business settings, instructions, and polite requests.
The speaker uses 'a few' without a following noun, e.g., 'I have a few.'
Can stand alone to mean 'a few' (things).
いくつかあります。
There are a few.
When the context makes the counter clear, you can drop the noun.
二、三個で十分です。
A few is enough.
二、三 (に、さん) explicitly suggests two or three, while 数 (すう) is vaguer, like 'several'. In casual speech, 二、三 is more common; in formal writing, 数 is preferred.
少し (すこし) is primarily for uncountable amounts. Using it for countable items can sound unnatural. For example, 'a few books' is 二、三冊の本, not 少しの本.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.