Meaning and Usage
The adjective 少ない (すくない) means "few" or "little" and is used to describe a small quantity or number of something. It is often contrasted with 多い (おおい), which means "many" or "much."
Common Contexts
少ない is frequently used when talking about countable things like people, objects, or opportunities, as well as uncountable quantities like time or money. It can express scarcity or insufficiency.
Collocations and Patterns
- 少ない時間 (すくないじかん): little time — used when time is limited.
- 少ない人数 (すくないにんずう): few people — used to describe a small group.
- ミスが少ない (ミスがすくない): few mistakes — used to praise accuracy or reliability.
Register and Nuance
少ない is a neutral, common adjective suitable for both formal and informal situations. It does not carry strong emotional connotations but can imply a need or desire for more when used in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 少ない with 小さい (ちいさい), which means "small" in size. Remember, 少ない refers to quantity or number, not physical size.