少々(しょうしょう)

しょうしょう
adverb
a little, somewhat
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 USES:

  • 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 2026.4.7 15:13
03000/03232_shoushou