Onyomi 音読み

Kunyomi 訓読み

Explanation

Few, little, less

Personalized Lesson For You!

Kanji Story

Imagine a small number of people gathering under a tree, representing a few or a small amount. The tree provides shade, symbolizing the limited or little quantity.

Frequency in JLPT exams

The kanji '少' is a common character tested at the N4 level in JLPT. Its meaning and readings are frequently encountered in vocabulary and reading comprehension sections.

Example Sentences

• 彼女は少し英語を話せます。

  She can speak a little English.

  かのじょはすこしえいごをはなせます。

  Kanojo wa sukoshi eigo o hanasemasu.

  Pronunciation

• 少ない時間でできるだけ多くのことをやりたい。

  I want to do as much as possible in a short amount of time.

  すくないじかんでできるだけおおくのことをやりたい。

  Sukunai jikan de dekiru dake ooku no koto o yaritai.

  Pronunciation

• 彼は少し人見知りです。

  He is a little shy around new people.

  かれはすこしひとみしりです。

  Kare wa sukoshi hitomishiri desu.

  Pronunciation

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

• The kanji '少' is commonly seen in various words and expressions related to quantity and comparison.
• Remember the two kunyomi readings 'sukunai' and 'sukoshi' and their usage.
• Pay attention to compounds and idiomatic expressions using '少' to expand your vocabulary.
• Practice writing the kanji to familiarize yourself with its stroke order and improve reading comprehension.

Usage in Japanese Names

• Names like '小少人' (Koshounin) or '小少美' (Kosohomi) may use the kanji '少'. It can symbolize uniqueness or being distinctively few.