少(すこ)し

すこし

adverb

a little, a few

1. a little

A small amount or degree.

日本語(にほんご)が少(すこ)しわかります。

I understand a little Japanese.

少(すこ)し休(やす)みましょう。

Let's rest a little.

お酒(さけ)を少(すこ)しください。

A little sake, please.

少(すこ)し寒(さむ)いので、窓(まど)を閉(し)めてください。

It's a little cold, so please close the window.

少(すこ)し時間(じかん)がかかりますが、よろしいですか。お待(ま)ちいただけますか。

It will take a little time - is that okay? Can you wait?

少(すこ)し means "a little" or "a small amount," usable as both adverb and noun.

GRAMMAR:

Adverb: 少(すこ)し待(ま)ってください (please wait a little)
With の: 少(すこ)しの時間(じかん) (a little time)

COMMON PATTERNS:

少(すこ)しずつ: little by little, gradually
少(すこ)しも〜ない: not at all, not in the least
もう少(すこ)し: a little more

FORMALITY:
More formal/polite than ちょっと. Use 少(すこ)し in formal writing and polite speech.

SIMILAR WORDS:

ちょっと: a little (casual, also used as "excuse me")
少々(しょうしょう): a little (very formal, often service industry)
多少(たしょう): somewhat, more or less

ANTONYM:

たくさん: a lot, many

Related Words

Synonym: ちょっと (casual)

Antonym: たくさん (a lot, many)

Contrast: 僅(わず)か

basic

Added 2026.1.8 0:50 · Revised 2026.5.28 3:11

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