Translation guide
Expressing a small amount in Japanese depends on what is being counted (objects, liquid, abstract concepts) and the context. Common options include 少し (sukoshi) for general use, 少量 (shouryou) for formal or written contexts, and specific counters for precise small quantities.
Expressing a small quantity of something in a neutral, everyday context.
The most common and versatile word for 'a little' or 'a small amount'. Can be used with nouns (using の) or as an adverb.
砂糖を少し入れてください。
Please add a small amount of sugar.
少し時間があります。
I have a little time.
Casual and conversational, often used in spoken Japanese. Can also soften requests or statements.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a little.
ちょっとだけ食べたい。
I want to eat just a small amount.
Emphasizes a very small, often surprisingly small, amount. Can be used as an adverb or with な/の.
わずかな違いだ。
It's a tiny difference.
Used in written documents, product labels, or formal speech to indicate a small quantity.
Standard formal term for 'small amount', often seen on packaging or in recipes.
少量の塩を加える。
Add a small amount of salt.
この製品は少量でも効果があります。
This product is effective even in small amounts.
Refers to a trace amount or extremely small quantity, often used in scientific or technical contexts.
Specifically referring to a small quantity of a liquid.
Common in recipes and formal instructions for adding a small amount of liquid or seasoning.
醤油を少々加えます。
Add a small amount of soy sauce.
Literally 'one mouthful', used for a small amount of drink or food taken in one bite/sip.
Referring to a small sum of money.
Standard term for a small amount of money, used in banking or formal contexts.
少額の寄付をお願いします。
We ask for a small donation.
Refers to small change or coins, implying a small amount of money.
Using specific counters to express a small number of items or small quantity.
Prefix 数 (すう) means 'a few' or 'several', indicating a small number. Combine with appropriate counter (e.g., 数人, 数枚).
数人の友達が来た。
A small number of friends came.
数枚の紙が必要です。
I need a few sheets of paper.
Using 少しの before a noun to mean 'a small amount of' that noun.
少しのお金で楽しめる。
You can have fun with a small amount of money.
Both mean 'a little', but ちょっと is more casual and often used in spoken Japanese. 少し is neutral and can be used in both speech and writing. ちょっと also functions as an interjection to get attention or soften refusals.
ちょっとすみません。
Excuse me (for a moment).
English 'small amount' can often be translated naturally with 少し, but in specific contexts (money, liquid, countable items) using the appropriate term or counter is more natural. Directly translating 'small amount' as 小さい量 is not idiomatic.
少しだけで十分です。
I only need a small amount.
塩を少々加えてください。
Add a small amount of salt.
A trace amount of chemical substance was detected.
一口だけ水を飲んだ。
I drank just a small amount of water.
I only have a small amount of change.