少しも

• Reading: すこしも
• Romaji: sukoshimo
• Kanji breakdown: 少 (shou/suko) — few, little
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.ko.ɕi.mo/

Meaning

Not at all; not one bit; not in the least. Emphatic negation used with negative verbs.

An adverb that MUST be paired with a negative predicate (少しも〜ない). Stronger than あまり〜ない (not very) and similar in force to 全然〜ない (not at all). Emphasises complete absence or zero degree of something. Common in complaints and strong denials.

Examples

1. 彼の説明は少しもわからなかった。 I didn't understand his explanation at all.
2. 薬を飲んだのに少しもよくならない。 Even though I took the medicine, I didn't get any better.
3. あの映画は少しも面白くなかった。 That movie wasn't interesting in the slightest.

Usage Guide

Context: complaints, emphasis, denial

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

Compound of 少し (sukoshi, a little) and the emphatic particle も. When も follows a minimal quantity word and precedes a negative, it creates total negation — 'not even a little bit.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal