ほんの

ほんの
adverb
just; only; mere; slight
quantity
1. just; only; mere; slight; a tiny bit of
Emphasizes that something is very small in amount, degree, or significance. Always precedes a noun or quantity expression.
ほんの少(すこ)しだけ。
Just a tiny bit.
ほんの気持(きも)ちですが、受(う)け取(と)ってください。
It's just a small token, but please accept it.
駅(えき)からほんの五分(ごふん)で着(つ)きます。
It's just five minutes from the station.

A pre-noun adverb that always modifies what follows. It emphasizes smallness — of quantity, time, distance, or significance. Cannot be used at the end of a sentence or as a standalone adverb. Very commonly used in polite expressions when giving gifts (ほんの気持(きも)ちです 'it's just a small gesture') and when minimizing something (ほんの冗談(じょうだん) 'just a joke').

Common collocations

Similar words

  • たった: only, just — emphasizes surprisingly small amount; can modify numbers and nouns
  • わずか: merely, only — slightly more formal, often used with quantities
  • ちょっと: a little, slightly — more colloquial and versatile; can also mean 'somewhat'

Related Words

Compare: 僅(わず)か
Compare: たった
Compare: ただの (mere)
Compare: ちょっと (a little, slightly)
general
Added 2026.4.7 23:18 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
22500/22755_honno