How do you use "few / a few / little / a little" in a sentence?

Few people came to the party.' (not many, disappointing) A few people came to the party.' (some people, okay) I have little time.' (not enough time) I have a little time.' (some time, enough)

few / a few / little / a little

Q: What does "few / a few / little / a little" mean?

Small quantities with different nuances 'Few' and 'a few' are for countable nouns; 'little' and 'a little' for uncountable. Without 'a' = negative meaning (not enough). With 'a' = positive meaning (some, enough). The difference is subtle but important.

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Small quantities with different nuances

具有不同细微差别的小量表达

Cantidades pequeñas con diferentes matices

異なるニュアンスを持つ少量表現

다른 뉘앙스를 가진 소량 표현

'Few' and 'a few' are for countable nouns; 'little' and 'a little' for uncountable. Without 'a' = negative meaning (not enough). With 'a' = positive meaning (some, enough). The difference is subtle but important.

'Few'和'a few'用于可数名词；'little'和'a little'用于不可数名词。不带'a'=否定含义（不够）。带'a'=肯定含义（一些，足够）。这个区别很微妙但很重要。

'Few' y 'a few' son para sustantivos contables; 'little' y 'a little' para incontables. Sin 'a' = significado negativo (no suficiente). Con 'a' = significado positivo (algo, suficiente). La diferencia es sutil pero importante.

「Few」と「a few」は可算名詞用、「little」と「a little」は不可算名詞用。「a」なし＝否定的な意味（足りない）。「a」あり＝肯定的な意味（いくらか、十分）。違いは微妙ですが重要です。

'Few'와 'a few'는 가산 명사에, 'little'과 'a little'은 불가산 명사에 사용합니다. 'a' 없이 = 부정적 의미 (충분하지 않음). 'a'와 함께 = 긍정적 의미 (어느 정도, 충분함). 차이는 미묘하지만 중요합니다.

Examples

Few people came to the party.' (not many, disappointing)
很少人来参加派对。'（不多，令人失望）
Poca gente vino a la fiesta.' (no muchos, decepcionante)
パーティーに来た人はほとんどいませんでした。'（少ない、がっかり）
파티에 온 사람이 거의 없었어요.' (적음, 실망스러움)
A few people came to the party.' (some people, okay)
有几个人来参加派对。'（有些人，还行）
Unas pocas personas vinieron a la fiesta.' (algunas personas, bien)
パーティーに何人か来ました。'（何人か、大丈夫）
파티에 몇 명 왔어요.' (어느 정도, 괜찮음)
I have little time.' (not enough time)
我时间不多。'（时间不够）
Tengo poco tiempo.' (no suficiente tiempo)
時間がほとんどありません。'（時間が足りない）
시간이 거의 없어요.' (시간이 부족)
I have a little time.' (some time, enough)
我有一点时间。'（一些时间，足够）
Tengo un poco de tiempo.' (algo de tiempo, suficiente)
少し時間があります。'（ある程度の時間、十分）
시간이 좀 있어요.' (어느 정도, 충분)

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: nuanced

✓ Do Say

She has few friends. (lonely)
她几乎没有朋友。（孤独）
Ella tiene pocos amigos. (solitaria)
彼女には友達がほとんどいません。（孤独）
그녀는 친구가 거의 없어요. (외로움)
She has a few friends. (some friends)
她有几个朋友。（有一些朋友）
Ella tiene unos pocos amigos. (algunos amigos)
彼女には何人か友達がいます。（友達がいる）
그녀는 친구가 몇 명 있어요. (어느 정도)
There's little hope. (pessimistic)
几乎没有希望。（悲观）
Hay poca esperanza. (pesimista)
望みはほとんどありません。（悲観的）
희망이 거의 없어요. (비관적)
There's a little hope. (some hope)
还有一点希望。（有些希望）
Hay un poco de esperanza. (algo de esperanza)
少し望みがあります。（いくらかの望み）
희망이 조금 있어요. (어느 정도)
I have little water.
我几乎没有水。
Tengo poca agua.
水がほとんどありません。
물이 거의 없어요.
I have few books.
我几乎没有书。
Tengo pocos libros.
本がほとんどありません。
책이 거의 없어요.

✗ Don't Say

I have few water. (uncountable = little)
I have few water.（不可数 = little）
I have few water. (incontable = little)
I have few water.（不可算 = little）
I have few water.（불가산 = little）
I have little books. (countable = few)
I have little books.（可数 = few）
I have little books. (contable = few)
I have little books.（可算 = few）
I have little books.（가산 = few）

Origin & History

Quantity expression with nuance

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal