Readings: ショウ (Onyomi), すくない・すこし (Kunyomi)
Meaning: few, little, a small amount
The kanji 少 is used to describe small amounts or few in quantity. It appears in words like 少ない (few), 少し (a little), and 少年 (boy).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 小 (small) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | ショウ |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | すくない・すこし |
How to Write – Stroke Order
少 has 4 strokes. It’s derived from the radical 小 (small) with an added flick on top, reinforcing the meaning of “a little”.
Example Sentences
Japanese: お金が少ないです。
Kana: おかねがすくないです。
Romaji: Okane ga sukunai desu.
English: I have little money.
Japanese: 少し待ってください。
Kana: すこしまってください。
Romaji: Sukoshi matte kudasai.
English: Please wait a moment.
Japanese: 少年は外で遊んでいます。
Kana: しょうねんはそとであそんでいます。
Romaji: Shounen wa soto de asondeimasu.
English: The boy is playing outside.
Vocabulary Using 少
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 少ない | すくない | few, little |
| 少し | すこし | a little, a bit |
| 少年 | しょうねん | boy |
| 少女 | しょうじょ | girl |
| 多少 | たしょう | more or less, somewhat |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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