意味
Expressing a small degree or a short duration.
文化的背景
The concept of 'Enryo' (restraint) is central to 'chotto'. It's about not imposing your will or needs too strongly on others. In business, 'chotto' is a red flag. If a partner says 'Kento shimasu ga, chotto...' it means the deal is likely dead. On LINE or Twitter, 'chotto' is often used to start a vent or a 'story time' post, often written as ちょ、 or チョット. Staff will use 'shoushou' instead of 'chotto' to maintain a high level of 'Omotenashi' (hospitality).
The 'Trailing Off' Technique
When using 'chotto' to say no, don't finish the sentence. Just say 'chotto...' and look slightly troubled. This is 100% more natural than saying 'I can't'.
Avoid with Superiors
Never just say 'Chotto!' to get your boss's attention. It sounds like you're calling a dog. Use 'Sumimasen' instead.
意味
Expressing a small degree or a short duration.
The 'Trailing Off' Technique
When using 'chotto' to say no, don't finish the sentence. Just say 'chotto...' and look slightly troubled. This is 100% more natural than saying 'I can't'.
Avoid with Superiors
Never just say 'Chotto!' to get your boss's attention. It sounds like you're calling a dog. Use 'Sumimasen' instead.
Reading the Air
If someone tells you 'Sore wa chotto...', stop asking. They have already given you a firm 'No'.
自分をテスト
Complete the dialogue to politely decline the invitation.
A: {明日|あした}、{映画|えいが}を{見|み}に{行|い}きませんか？ B: すみません、{明日|あした}は____。
In Japanese, trailing off with 'chotto' is the most polite way to say you are busy or can't go.
Fill in the blank to ask someone to wait for a moment.
____ {待|ま}ってください。
'Chotto matte kudasai' is the standard phrase for 'Please wait a moment'.
Match the use of 'chotto' to the correct situation.
Situation: You are trying on a shirt and it's too tight.
'Chiisai' means small. 'Chotto' softens the feedback to the clerk.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for a small favor?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'chotto' makes the request sound less burdensome and more polite.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
The 4 Faces of Chotto
Quantity
- • A little salt
- • A little water
Time
- • Wait a sec
- • Think a bit
Refusal
- • I'm busy
- • It's hard
Attention
- • Hey!
- • Excuse me
練習問題バンク
4 問題A: {明日|あした}、{映画|えいが}を{見|み}に{行|い}きませんか？ B: すみません、{明日|あした}は____。
In Japanese, trailing off with 'chotto' is the most polite way to say you are busy or can't go.
____ {待|ま}ってください。
'Chotto matte kudasai' is the standard phrase for 'Please wait a moment'.
Situation: You are trying on a shirt and it's too tight.
'Chiisai' means small. 'Chotto' softens the feedback to the clerk.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'chotto' makes the request sound less burdensome and more polite.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
5 問Not inherently, but it is informal. It's polite when used as a softener, but can be rude if used as a blunt command to a superior.
'Chotto' is casual and social; 'sukoshi' is formal and quantitative.
In a casual email to a friend, yes. In a business email, use 'shoushou' or 'sukoshi'.
It's a polite way to say 'no' without actually saying the word 'no', which is considered too direct.
Yes, but 'chotto' makes it 'wait a little bit', which sounds less like an order and more like a request.
関連フレーズ
すこし
similarA little bit
ちょっとまって
builds onWait a minute
ちょっとした
specialized formSlight / Minor
ちょっぴり
similarA tiny bit
少々
synonymA small amount (formal)
