a little

IPA/ɐ lˈɪtəl/
IPA/ɐ lˈɪɾəl/

a little — idiom

1. by a small amount or to a small degree, rather than a lot.

1.慣用語A1
釋義

by a small amount or to a small degree, rather than a lot.

例句

The soup is a little salty, so add some hot water.

a little + adjective for a mild quality

Nila looked a little tired after the long bus ride.

a little + adjective after a linking verb

同義詞
  • a bit

    more conversational, especially in everyday speech

  • slightly

    more formal and often used in careful writing

  • somewhat

    more formal and less common in casual speech

反義詞
  • a lot

    shows a much larger degree or change

  • much more

    stronger phrase used with comparatives

文法句型

a little + adjective

a little + comparative

verb + a little

用法筆記

Often comes before adjectives, adverbs, or comparatives to soften the degree of something. After a verb, it usually points to a small change instead of a strong one.

常見錯誤

❌The tea is little cold.
✅The tea is a little cold.
💡this fixed phrase needs the article 'a'.
❌Please move a little the chair.
✅Please move the chair a little.
💡when it modifies the action, it normally comes after the object.