little
little — 名詞
1. used in the phrase 'a little' to mean a small but noticeable quantity of somethi
少量；些許
不多的數量
used in the phrase 'a little' to mean a small but noticeable quantity of something, especially when that amount is enough for a particular need or purpose.
The chef added a little of the special sauce to each plate before serving.
主廚在上菜前在每個盤子裡加了一點特製醬汁。
pattern: a little of + noun phrase
After the long walk, the hikers stopped to eat a little and rest their legs.
長途步行後，登山者停下來吃了一些東西，讓雙腿休息一下。
pattern: have/eat + a little
The landlord offered a little of the fresh fruit from his garden to the tenant.
房東把花園裡的一些新鮮水果送給了房客。
The toddler ate only a little of the vegetables on the plate.
學步兒只吃了一點盤子裡的蔬菜。
The nurse said the patient had eaten a little, a good sign for recovery.
護理師說病人吃了一點東西，這是康復的好跡象。
文法句型
a little of + noun phrase
have/eat/drink + a little
用法筆記
Always used with the indefinite article 'a'. Without 'a', the determiner form 'little' means 'almost none' (contrast: 'I ate a little' = some, 'I ate little' = almost nothing).
常見錯誤
2. used in the phrase 'a little' to describe a short period of time or a small dist
片刻；一小段
短暫的時間或短的距離
used in the phrase 'a little' to describe a short period of time or a small distance between two points.
The children played outside for a little before dinner was ready.
孩子們在晚餐準備好之前在戶外玩了一會兒。
pattern: for a little (time duration)
The traditional market is a little further down the main street.
傳統市場就在大街上再往前走一小段路就到了。
pattern: a little + comparative (distance)
The tired father sat down on the bench to rest for a little after work.
疲憊的父親下班後在長椅上坐下來休息了一會兒。
The bus stop is a little past the library on the left side.
公車站在圖書館過去一點點的左邊。
文法句型
verb + a little (wait, rest, walk)
a little + comparative (further, longer, past)
用法筆記
Requires the article 'a' in this sense as well. 'Wait a little' means wait briefly; 'wait little' (without 'a') is not idiomatic in modern English.
常見錯誤
3. a young child, especially when referred to in a warm or caring way using the phr
小孩；小寶貝
年幼的孩子
a young child, especially when referred to in a warm or caring way using the phrase 'little one' or 'little ones'.
The kindergarten teacher read a story to the little ones every afternoon after lunch.
幼稚園老師每天下午午飯後講故事給小朋友們聽。
plural: the little ones as a group
The nanny took the little ones to the park to play on the swings.
保母帶小朋友們去公園盪鞦韆。
The parents brought their little one to the doctor for a check-up.
父母帶他們的小孩去醫生那裡做檢查。
The grandmother promised to bake cookies for the little ones this weekend.
祖母答應這個週末烤餅乾給小朋友們吃。
- adult
a person who is fully grown
文法句型
the little one(s)
possessive + little one(s)
用法筆記
Often used by caregivers, teachers, and family members. 'Little ones' (plural) is more common than 'little one' (singular). More affectionate and less formal than 'children'.
常見錯誤
little — 形容詞
- littlepositive
- littlercomparative
- littlestsuperlative
1. below the average in physical dimensions, amount, or count; not reaching what is
小的
體積或數量小的
below the average in physical dimensions, amount, or count; not reaching what is typical or expected.
The tailor sewed a little pocket inside the jacket for the watch.
裁縫在外套內側縫了一個小口袋來放手錶。
little + concrete noun (small object)
Only a little rain fell last night, so the ground is still dry.
昨晚只下了一點點雨，所以地面還是乾的。
little + uncountable noun (small amount)
The new apartment has a little balcony where the tenant keeps potted plants.
新公寓有一個小陽台，租戶在陽台上擺了幾盆植物。
My grandmother lives in a little house at the end of a quiet lane.
我的奶奶住在安靜小巷底端的一棟小房子裡。
The cashier placed the ring in a little velvet box before handing it over.
收銀員把戒指放進一個小天鵝絨盒子裡，然後交給顧客。
文法句型
little + noun
be + little
用法筆記
Predicative use ('The house is little.') is less common than attributive use ('a little house'). For objective measurement, 'small' is preferred over 'little'.
常見錯誤
2. used for a serving of something to eat or drink that comes in a smaller quantity
小份的
食物或飲料分量少的
used for a serving of something to eat or drink that comes in a smaller quantity than a typical portion.
The restaurant serves a little salad on the side at no extra charge.
這家餐廳免費附贈一小份沙拉作為配菜。
little + food noun (portion size)
Would you like a little cake with your afternoon tea today?
你今天下午想配茶吃一小塊蛋糕嗎？
The café gives each customer a little bowl of nuts with their drink order.
這家咖啡店會隨飲料送每位顧客一小碗堅果。
After the meal, the host brought out a little glass of juice for everyone at the table.
飯後，主人為在座的每個人倒了一小杯果汁。
- large
opposite for portion size—'a large salad' vs 'a little salad'
文法句型
little + food/drink noun
用法筆記
Nearly always appears before a noun referring to food or drink. 'A little something to eat' is a fixed phrase meaning a small snack.
3. given as a friendly gesture, costing very little and intended mainly as a though
小（禮物）
價值不高的小禮物
given as a friendly gesture, costing very little and intended mainly as a thoughtful token rather than something of high monetary worth.
The children brought their teacher a little gift on the final day of school.
孩子們在學期最後一天送給老師一個小禮物。
little gift — fixed collocation for modest present
Manuela picked up a little souvenir from the market for her new neighbour.
Manuela 在市場挑了一個小紀念品送給新鄰居。
It was just a little something for his birthday — a box of handmade chocolates.
那只是給他的一點小心意——一盒手工巧克力。
The family next door brought over a little plant as a welcome gift.
隔壁一家人帶了一盆小植物過來，當作歡迎禮物。
- small
interchangeable here but 'little' sounds warmer and more affectionate
文法句型
little + gift/present/souvenir/something
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the set phrase 'a little something' to refer to an informal gift. Avoid using 'little present' in formal contexts where the monetary value needs to be stated.
4. young in age, especially used to describe children or baby animals.
年幼的
年紀小的；幼小的
young in age, especially used to describe children or baby animals.
The little boy held his mother's hand tightly at the busy train station.
小男孩在繁忙的火車站緊緊拉著媽媽的手。
little + child noun
A little puppy followed the children all the way to the park gate.
一隻小狗一路跟著孩子們走到公園門口。
little + baby animal noun
The little ones played in the sand while their parents sat on the bench nearby.
小朋友們在沙坑裡玩，他們的爸媽坐在附近的長椅上。
When I was little, I believed that fairies lived at the bottom of the garden.
我小的時候，相信花園盡頭住著仙女。
The little girl carefully drew a picture of her cat for her grandmother.
小女孩仔細地畫了一張她的貓的圖畫要送給奶奶。
- old
opposite in age—'old' vs 'little' for age comparison
文法句型
little + child/baby/animal noun
be + little (age)
用法筆記
When used predicatively ('I was little'), it always refers to childhood, not animal age. 'Little' in this sense carries a softer, more affectionate tone than 'young'.
常見錯誤
5. used after another adjective to add a personal feeling of fondness, disapproval,
有點；還真
放在形容詞後表達情感
used after another adjective to add a personal feeling of fondness, disapproval, or sympathy toward the person or thing being described.
That was a silly little mistake — please do not worry about it.
那只是一個傻傻的小錯誤——請別放在心上。
adjective + little + noun (softening criticism)
The hotel turned out to be a lovely little place right by the sea.
那間飯店原來是個可愛的小地方，就在海邊。
adjective + little + noun (affectionate)
He made a nasty little comment about her cooking that upset everyone.
他對她的廚藝說了句很惡劣的話，讓大家都不高興。
What a sweet little dog! Could I please pet him?
好可愛的小狗！我可以摸摸牠嗎？
Adina lives in a charming little cottage with a bright red front door.
Adina 住在一間迷人的小別墅裡，有一扇亮紅色的前門。
文法句型
adjective + little + noun
用法筆記
This sense only works when 'little' follows another adjective ('nice little flat', 'nasty little habit'). The preceding adjective carries the evaluation; 'little' adds an emotional colour. It is common in spoken and informal written English.
常見錯誤
6. not important or serious enough to cause worry or require attention; describing
微不足道的
不重要或不必在意的
not important or serious enough to cause worry or require attention; describing minor issues, disagreements, or flaws.
Do not worry about the little details — focus on the main idea instead.
別在意那些小細節——專注在主要的重點上就好。
little details — minor, insignificant aspects
They had a little disagreement about who should wash the dishes.
他們為了誰該洗碗起了點小爭執。
The manager said it was just a little problem that could be fixed in minutes.
經理說那只是一個小問題，幾分鐘就能解決。
She apologised for the little mess in the living room after the party.
她為派對後客廳裡的小混亂道了歉。
The couple argued over a little thing that neither could remember the next day.
那對夫妻為了一件小事吵了起來，隔天兩個人都忘了是什麼事。
文法句型
little + abstract noun (problem, detail, thing, matter)
用法筆記
Often used deliberately to downplay a problem: calling an issue 'a little problem' suggests it is easily solved. This sense is primarily attributive ('a little issue') rather than predicative ('the issue is little').
常見錯誤
little — 副詞
1. to a small degree that is noticeable enough to matter — used before adjectives a
稍微
程度上輕微地
to a small degree that is noticeable enough to matter — used before adjectives and verbs, especially to soften a statement or criticism
The soup was a little too salty for the old fisherman's taste.
那碗湯對老漁夫的口味來說稍微鹹了一點。
a little + adjective
The night guard felt a little nervous walking through the dark warehouse after midnight.
午夜過後，夜班警衛獨自走過漆黑的倉庫時感到稍微有些緊張。
The librarian smiled a little when the child finally returned the overdue book.
當那個孩子終於歸還逾期未還的書時，圖書館員稍微笑了一下。
The hiker felt a little stronger after resting for an hour by the mountain stream.
在山間溪流旁休息了一小時後，那名登山客覺得身體稍微強壯了一些。
文法句型
a little + adjective
a little + comparative adjective
verb + a little
用法筆記
When modifying a comparative adjective, 'a little' is more common in spoken English than 'slightly' and carries a softer, less formal tone.
常見錯誤
2. happening or changing in small stages over a period of time, so that each step i
逐漸
緩慢而逐步地
happening or changing in small stages over a period of time, so that each step is small but the overall result is noticeable
Little by little, the stray cat learned to trust the family that fed it.
那隻流浪貓逐漸學會信任餵牠的那家人。
little by little — fixed phrase at start of clause
The morning fog lifted little by little as the summer sun climbed higher.
隨著夏日的太陽升高，晨霧逐漸消散了。
Little by little, the young violinist improved through months of patient daily practice.
經過數月耐心的日常練習後，那位年輕的小提琴手逐漸有了進步。
The abandoned garden came back to life little by little after the spring rains arrived.
春天雨水到來後，那座廢棄的花園逐漸恢復了生機。
- gradually
more formal; can describe any slow process without the 'step-by-step' image
- step by step
emphasises a deliberate, planned sequence rather than natural unfolding
- all at once
opposite — happening suddenly rather than in stages
- immediately
opposite — with no delay or gradual process
文法句型
little by little + clause
clause + little by little
用法筆記
This is a fixed phrase; the parts cannot be reordered ('by little little') or broken up. It can appear at the beginning or end of a clause.
常見錯誤
3. only a small amount or almost not at all — used before or after a verb to say th
很少
數量或頻率極少
only a small amount or almost not at all — used before or after a verb to say that something happens in very small quantity or with very low frequency
The elderly woman ate very little after surgery because the pain made her feel sick.
那位老婦人手術後吃得很少，因為疼痛讓她感到噁心。
very little + verb
The exhausted nurse slept little during her three night shifts in a row.
筋疲力竭的護理師連續值了三個夜班，期間幾乎沒有睡覺。
The local residents cared little about the committee's plan to close the park.
當地居民很少在意委員會關閉公園的計畫。
The old stone house had changed little since the Wong family moved away decades ago.
自從王家幾十年前搬走後，那棟老舊的石屋幾乎沒有改變。
文法句型
verb + little
very little + verb
care/know/sleep/eat/change + little
用法筆記
Without the article 'a,' 'little' before a verb carries a negative sense — 'not enough' or 'hardly any.' Adding 'very' strengthens this negative tone. This is the main contrast with sense 1, where 'a little' is mildly positive or neutral.
常見錯誤
4. barely or only just — used before a comparative word to say that something or so
幾乎
不比⋯多多少；僅僅是
barely or only just — used before a comparative word to say that something or someone is not significantly different from the thing mentioned, often expressing disappointment or lack of value
That hotel was little more than a damp room with broken furniture and dirty sheets.
那間飯店幾乎就只是個潮濕的房間，裡面有破家具和髒床單。
little more than + noun phrase
The refugee's few possessions fit into little more than a single worn backpack.
那名難民的少數家當幾乎連一個破舊的後背包都裝不滿。
The team's first draft was little more than a rough outline that needed full chapters.
團隊的初稿幾乎只是一個粗略的大綱，需要完整的各章節內容。
Sahil's apology was little more than a mumbled excuse that no one could hear.
Sahil 的道歉幾乎只是一句含糊的藉口，沒有人聽得清楚。
文法句型
little more/better/less than + noun phrase
用法筆記
This pattern expresses a critical or dismissive tone — 'this is not really worthy of a better description.' Can use any comparative: 'little better than,' 'little different from,' 'little less than.'
常見錯誤
little — 限定詞
1. used before uncountable nouns to show that something exists in a very small amou
很少的
數量極少，通常不足
used before uncountable nouns to show that something exists in a very small amount, often less than is needed
Little rain fell during the dry season, so the river dried up.
旱季時雨水很少，所以河流都乾涸了。
little + uncountable noun for negative quantity
The tenant had little choice but to accept the new monthly rent.
那位房客幾乎沒有選擇，只能接受新的月租金。
There is little chance that the clinic will open before next month.
那間診所下個月前開幕的機會很小。
Eli spoke little English when he first arrived in the city.
Eli 剛到這個城市的時候只會說很少的英文。
The team finished the race with little effort after months of training.
經過幾個月的訓練後，那支隊伍幾乎不費力氣就跑完了比賽。
- not much
more common in everyday speech
- hardly any
stronger, suggests almost none at all
- minimal
more formal, used in writing
文法句型
little + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense has a negative meaning — it suggests the quantity is smaller than expected or needed. In informal speech, 'not much' is more common than 'little'. Do not confuse with 'a little' (sense 2), which has a positive meaning of a small but sufficient amount.
常見錯誤
2. a small but noticeable or sufficient amount of something, used before uncountabl
一點的
少量但仍有幫助
a small but noticeable or sufficient amount of something, used before uncountable nouns when the quantity is not large but still matters or helps
The doctor recommended a little rest after the long surgery.
醫生建議在長時間的手術後稍微休息一下。
a little + uncountable noun for positive small quantity
A little kindness from a stranger can make a big difference.
來自陌生人的一點善意可以帶來很大的改變。
The carpenter added a little glue to fix the broken desk leg.
木匠加了一點膠水來修補壞掉的桌腳。
If you have a little patience, your turn will come very soon.
如果你有一點耐心，很快就會輪到你了。
Tuan put a little pepper on his rice at lunch time today.
Tuan 在午餐時往他的飯裡加了一點胡椒。
- some
more neutral, does not emphasize smallness
- a small amount of
more formal and explicit
- a bit of
informal, common in spoken English
文法句型
a little + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense has a positive connotation — the amount is small but helpful or sufficient. It is the opposite in meaning to sense 1 (little without 'a'). Distinguished from the pronoun use ('a little' standing alone) by the presence of a following noun. In informal questions and requests, 'a little' is very common ('Could I have a little water?').
常見錯誤
little — 代名詞
1. A small but real or sufficient quantity of something — used when the amount is e
一點
少量但足夠的數量
A small but real or sufficient quantity of something — used when the amount is enough for a purpose even though it is not large.
The gardener still has a little of last year's fertiliser left in the shed.
園丁的棚子裡還剩一點去年的肥料。
a little + of + noun phrase
Hugo saves a little from each pay cheque to put toward a new bicycle.
Hugo 每張薪水支票都存下一點，打算買一輛新腳踏車。
save a little (verb + a little)
The recipe calls for a little more milk than what we have in the fridge.
這個食譜需要的牛奶比冰箱裡現有的還要多一點。
Lien knows a little about caring for houseplants from her grandmother.
Lien 從祖母那裡學到了一點照顧室內植物的知識。
After the heavy storm, only a little of the wheat crop could be saved.
那場暴風雨過後，只有一點小麥收成能夠搶救回來。
- some
More neutral about quantity; 'a little' emphasises that the amount is small.
- a bit
Informal synonym, common in conversation.
- a small amount
More formal and precise, often used in written descriptions.
文法句型
a little + of + [uncountable noun]
have/need/want/know + a little
用法筆記
Always includes the article 'a' — this is what distinguishes this sense from sense 2. The pronoun form stands alone ('a little') rather than modifying a following noun, which separates it from the determiner use ('a little money').
常見錯誤
2. A very small amount that is far from enough for what is needed or expected — use
極少
非常少，不足以滿足需求
A very small amount that is far from enough for what is needed or expected — used to express disappointment, criticism, or a sense that something is missing.
Little was done to help the refugees after the earthquake struck the region.
地震侵襲該地區後，幾乎沒做什麼來幫助難民。
Little was done + infinitive
The committee understood little of the report because it was full of jargon.
委員會對那份報告了解很少，因為裡面全是專業術語。
understand little of + noun
There is little that the night-shift nurse can do when the pharmacy is closed.
藥局關門後，夜班護士能做的事情非常有限。
Folake achieved little in the meeting because the manager kept changing the topic.
Folake 在會議中幾乎沒什麼進展，因為經理一直改變話題。
Little remains of the old theatre after the fire destroyed it last month.
上個月的大火燒毀後，舊劇院幾乎沒剩下什麼。
- not much
More natural in everyday speech; less formal.
- hardly anything
More emphatic and conversational.
- almost nothing
Stronger in meaning; implies near-complete absence.
文法句型
little + is/was + done/known/said/remains
little + of + [noun]
understand/achieve/do + little
用法筆記
Used without the article 'a'. This sense is much more common in formal written English than in casual speech. In conversation, speakers usually prefer 'not much' or 'hardly any'. Common set phrases include 'little is known', 'little remains', and 'little was done'.