少々(しょうしょう)

しょうしょう

adverb

a little, somewhat

formalbusinesscolloquialdescriptive

1. a little, somewhat, slightly

A formal or polite way to say 'a little' or 'slightly'. Often used in customer service and formal situations.

少々(しょうしょう)辛(から)くても大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですか。

Is it okay if it's a little spicy?

値段(ねだん)が少々(しょうしょう)高(たか)いですが、品質(ひんしつ)は確(たし)かです。

The price is a bit high, but the quality is reliable.

少々(しょうしょう)難(むずか)しい問題(もんだい)だが、時間(じかん)をかければ解(と)ける。

It's a somewhat difficult problem, but you can solve it if you take your time.

2. a short time, a moment

Used to indicate a brief period of time, especially when asking someone to wait.

少々(しょうしょう)お待(ま)ちください。

Please wait a moment.

Very common phrase in customer service

少々(しょうしょう)時間(じかん)がかかりますが、よろしいですか。

It will take a short while—is that all right?

少々(しょうしょう)お待(ま)ちいただけますか。担当者(たんとうしゃ)を呼(よ)んでまいります。

Could you wait a moment? I'll call the person in charge.

少々(しょうしょう) is a formal equivalent of 少(すこ)し, meaning "a little" or "slightly."

Register comparison

少々(しょうしょう): formal, polite, business Japanese
少(すこ)し: neutral, standard
ちょっと: casual, colloquial

Common collocations

少々(しょうしょう)お待(ま)ちください: Please wait a moment (very common in service industry)
少々(しょうしょう)高(たか)い: a little expensive
少々(しょうしょう)お時間(じかん)をいただけますか: May I have a moment of your time?

Usage

Staple phrase in customer service, hospitality, and business settings. 少々(しょうしょう)お待(ま)ちください is one of the most frequently heard polite expressions in Japan.

Related Words

Related: 少(すこ)し (a little (neutral))

Synonym: ちょっと (a little (casual))

general

Added 2026.1.12 9:52 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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