ちょっと

• Reading: ちょっと
• Romaji: chotto
• Pronunciation: /tɕot.to/

Meaning

A little; a bit; slightly. Also used to get attention or soften refusals.

An extremely versatile casual adverb. Beyond meaning 'a little,' it serves as a polite way to decline (ちょっと... with trailing off), to call someone (ちょっと!), or to downplay something. More casual than 少し.

Examples

1. ちょっと待ってください。 Please wait a moment.
2. 明日はちょっと忙しいです。 I'm a little busy tomorrow.
3. ちょっとお願いがあるんですが。 I have a small favor to ask.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, requests, refusals

Tone: casual

Origin & History

Originally written as 一寸, using the kanji for 'one' and 'sun' (a unit of measurement), referring to a very small distance. The hiragana form became standard in modern usage.

Cultural Context

Era: Early Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal