Both expressions indicate a small amount, but their tone and patterns differ.
The idea
少し is common in everyday speech and modifies verbs and adjectives: 少し待ってください and 少し疲れています. わずか emphasizes a very small amount and often sounds more formal or objective. Use わずかな before a noun, わずかに before a verb, and わずかです as a predicate.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| 少し | 少し待ってください |
| わずかな | わずかな人数 |
| わずかに | わずかに上がりました |
| わずか | 差はわずかです |
Examples
- 水が少し残っています。A little water remains.
- 少し待ってください。Please wait a little.
- 会議にはわずかな人数しか参加しませんでした。Only a few people attended the meeting.
- その差はわずかです。The difference is slight.
- 今日は少し疲れています。I am a little tired today.
- 価格はわずかに上がりました。The price increased slightly.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
The expressions overlap, but わずか is not simply a more polite replacement for 少し. A request such as 少し待ってください sounds natural; わずかに待ってください is awkward.
Try it yourself
少し＿＿ください。（待って／わずか）
Show answer or example answer
待って
待って completes the everyday request 少し待ってください.
その差は＿＿です。（わずか／少し）
Show answer or example answer
わずか
わずか fits before です as a predicate describing a slight difference.
価格はわずか＿＿上がりました。（に／な）
Show answer or example answer
に
に makes わずかに an adverb modifying 上がりました.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
少し＿＿ください。（待って／わずか）
その差は＿＿です。（わずか／少し）
価格はわずか＿＿上がりました。（に／な）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe a small change and ask someone to wait briefly.