1.
only, merely, just
A small amount or number; used to emphasize how small or limited something is.
僅か五分で着いた。
I arrived in just five minutes.
残りは僅か三人だけだった。
Only three people remained.
彼は僅か二年で日本語を話せるようになった。
He became able to speak Japanese in just two years.
2.
slight, small, little
Very small in degree or amount.
僅かな違いだ。
It's a slight difference.
僅かな + noun = a slight/small ~
気温が僅かに上がった。
The temperature rose slightly.
僅かに = slightly (adverbial form)
僅かな望みを捨てずに最後まで努力した。
Without giving up the slightest hope, I kept trying until the end.
USAGE: 僅か emphasizes the smallness of quantity, degree, or extent. Can be used adverbially or as a na-adjective (僅かな).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 僅か〜だけ (only ~, just ~)
- 僅かな差 (a slight difference)
- 僅かに (slightly - adverbial)
CONTRAST:
- 僅か - emphasizes smallness (slightly formal)
- たった - only, just (casual)
- ほんの - just a little (modest)