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What is the Kanji for 'Few'? | 少

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Few', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Few' is 少.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Few

    Reading

    kunyomiすく

    suku

    すこ

    suko

    onyomiしょう

    shou

    Parts

    Small 丿Katakana no

    Example Word

    少し: a little. The Japanese adverb '少し (すこし)' means 'a little' or 'a bit'. It is used to indicate a small quantity, degree, or extent of something. This word is versatile and can be applied to various contexts, such as time, amount, or degree. For example: I have a little time「少し時間があります」(すこしじかんがあります). Please wait a little longer「もう少し待ってください」(もうすこしまってください). It can also be used to soften requests or statements, making them sound more polite. Note that '少し' is often used in everyday conversation and is considered neutral in tone.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    70

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Small

    radical

    丿

    Meaning

    Katakana no

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 8 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Walk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ministry, Conserve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Second

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exquisite, Marvelous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inferior, Inferiority

    kanji

    Meaning

    Extract, Excerpt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sand

Words Using

This kanji is used in 11 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 小 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thread

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prefecture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Year, Years old

    kanji

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Still, Esteem

    kanji

    Meaning

    Resemble, Resemblance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purification, Observe religious abstinence

Kanji Related to Through the Part 丿

These 31 kanji contain the part 丿 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nine

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

    kanji

    Meaning

    River

    kanji

    Meaning

    Person

    kanji

    Meaning

    Woman

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

    kanji

    Meaning

    Enter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Previous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Red

    kanji

    Meaning

    White

    kanji

    Meaning

    Younger brother

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fur

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heart

    kanji

    Meaning

    Talent, Age

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sword

    kanji

    Meaning

    Turn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Body, Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Facing, Yonder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inevitable, Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lose, Fault

    kanji

    Meaning

    Scanty, Scarce

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mediate, Jammed in

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blood

    kanji

    寿

    Meaning

    Longevity, Congratulations

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mean, Lowly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vermillion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Feel ashamed

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 少 mean?

少 means 'Few'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.