Translation guide
How to express small amounts, degrees, or brief actions in Japanese, depending on whether you mean quantity, degree, time, or a polite refusal.
To say there is only a small amount of something, or to ask for just a little.
The most common and neutral way to say 'a little' or 'a few'. Works for both countable and uncountable things.
砂糖を少し入れてください。
Please add just a little sugar.
少しだけ残っています。
There's just a little left.
Casual and very common in spoken Japanese. Often used when asking for a small amount or softening a request.
ちょっと待って。
Wait just a little.
塩をちょっと取って。
Pass me just a little salt.
Formal equivalent of 少し. Used in business, instructions, or polite requests.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait just a little (formal).
To describe that something is only slightly true, or to soften an adjective/adverb.
Used before adjectives or verbs to mean 'a little bit'.
Casual version of 少し for degree. Very common in speech.
Emphasizes a very small amount or degree, like 'just a tiny bit'.
ほんの少しだけ辛い。
It's just a tiny bit spicy.
To indicate doing something for a short while, or that something will take only a moment.
By far the most common way to say 'for a little while' in casual speech. Often used with verbs like 待つ, 見る, 話す.
ちょっと見せて。
Let me see it for just a second.
ちょっと話があるんだけど。
I have something to talk about (just briefly).
More explicit about a short duration. Slightly more formal than ちょっと.
少しの間、ここにいてください。
Please stay here for just a little while.
To soften a refusal or express reluctance, often translated as 'it's a little...' in English.
Trailing off with ちょっと is a very common way to indirectly refuse or express difficulty without saying 'no' directly. The meaning is understood from context.
A: 明日来られる？ B: 明日はちょっと…
A: Can you come tomorrow? B: Tomorrow is a little... (implying no).
Literally 'That's a little...', used to politely decline or express reservations.
それはちょっと難しいです。
That's a little difficult (implying no).
少し (sukoshi) is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations. ちょっと (chotto) is casual and extremely common in everyday speech. In formal writing or business, use 少し or 少々 (shoushou). ちょっと also has many idiomatic uses beyond 'a little', such as softening requests or refusals.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (formal)
ちょっと待って。
Wait a sec. (casual)
While 少し is perfectly correct, using it in very casual conversation can sound a bit stiff. In informal settings, ちょっと is much more natural for 'just a little'.
ちょっと高いね。
It's a little expensive, isn't it.