101
少
Few, Little
すく(ない) (sukunai), すこ(し) (sukoshi)
JLPT N5
Interesting Fact
Traditional Japanese aesthetics often embrace the idea that less can be more. A single flower in a tea room, a few carefully placed stones in a garden, or an almost empty space can be considered more beautiful than abundance. Sometimes having a little is exactly the point.
Memory Trick
Imagine grains of sand slipping through your fingers. Only a few remain. That's 少, meaning few or little.
Readings
Onyomi: ショウ (shou)
Kunyomi: すく(ない) (sukunai), すこ(し) (sukoshi)
Example Words
少ない
すくない (sukunai)
Few
少し
すこし (sukoshi)
A little
少年
しょうねん (shounen)
Boy
人数が少ない
にんずう が すくない (ninzuu ga sukunai)
Few people
Example Sentence
時間が少しあります。
じかん が すこし あります。
jikan ga sukoshi arimasu
I have a little time.