Usage of 少し
The word 少し (すこし) is a very common adverb in Japanese meaning "a little" or "a small amount." It is used to express a small quantity or degree of something, often to soften statements or requests.
Common contexts
少し is frequently used when asking for a short amount of time, a small quantity of food or drink, or a slight degree of a quality (like spiciness or difficulty). It can also be combined with verbs to indicate gradual or incremental actions, such as 少しずつ (little by little).
Collocations and patterns
- 少し待つ: to wait a little
- 少しだけ: just a little
- 少しずつ: little by little, gradually
- 少しも～ない: not even a little (used for emphasis in negative sentences)
Register and nuance
少し is polite and neutral, suitable for everyday conversation and formal speech. It is less casual than ちょっと but more formal and clear.
Common learner tip
Avoid confusing 少し with ちょっと. While both mean "a little," ちょっと is more casual and often used in spoken language, whereas 少し is more versatile and can be used in writing and formal contexts. Also, remember that 少し can modify adjectives and verbs, not just nouns.