少し言う
sukoshi iu
a little say
直訳: 少し (sukoshi) means 'a little' and 言う (iu) means 'to say'. Together, it maps to 'say a little.'
15秒でわかる
- Mentioning something briefly without being long-winded.
- A polite way to introduce a small comment or feedback.
- Respects the listener's time by promising brevity.
意味
This phrase means to mention something briefly or to say just a few words about a topic. It is used when you want to share a thought without making a long speech or being too heavy.
主な例文
3 / 6Giving a quick opinion on a movie
その映画について、少し言いたいです。
I want to say a little bit about that movie.
Starting a brief update in a meeting
進捗について少し言います。
I will say a little about the progress.
Texting a friend about a secret
少しだけ言ってもいい？
Can I say just a little bit?
文化的背景
Brevity is highly valued in business. Being concise shows respect. Directness is valued, but 'a quick word' is still used to avoid being pushy. Using this phrase helps avoid the 'interrupter' label.
Use 'Chotto'
Adding 'chotto' makes the phrase sound much more natural and polite.
Don't over-promise
If you say you will say a little, keep it short!
15秒でわかる
- Mentioning something briefly without being long-winded.
- A polite way to introduce a small comment or feedback.
- Respects the listener's time by promising brevity.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a cafe with a friend. You do not want to give a lecture. You just want to drop a quick thought. That is exactly what 少し言う feels like. It is the art of the mini-comment. You are not explaining the whole universe. You are just pointing out one bright star. It is light, breezy, and very polite. It tells the listener, "I won't take much of your time."
How To Use It
You will often see this paired with だけ (dake) to mean "just." For example, 少しだけ言います means "I will say just a little bit." You can use it to introduce a small piece of feedback. It also works when you are sharing a secret. It acts as a verbal 'softener' for your sentences. It makes your entry into the conversation much smoother. Nobody likes someone who talks too much, right? This phrase is your shield against being that person.
When To Use It
Use it at work when giving a quick status update. Use it when you are texting a friend a quick reminder. It is perfect for those "by the way" moments in life. If you are at a restaurant, you might use it to mention a small preference. It is also great for emotional moments. Sometimes, saying "a little" feels safer than saying everything. It helps you test the waters before diving deep.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are about to give a 20-minute presentation. That would be a lie! Avoid it during deep, serious confessions where brevity might seem cold. If your boss asks for a detailed report, do not say you will 少し言う. They want the full story, not the trailer. Also, if you are angry, using this might sound passive-aggressive. Use it when you actually intend to be brief.
Cultural Background
Japanese culture deeply values the concept of 'reading the air.' This means being aware of other people's time and feelings. Saying 少し言う shows you are being considerate. It signals that you are not going to dominate the conversation. Historically, being concise was seen as a sign of wisdom. Even today, being brief is often more respected than being loud. It is all about balance and harmony in social interactions.
Common Variations
If you are with close friends, you might use ちょっと言う (chotto iu). ちょっと is the casual cousin of 少し. If you want to be even more precise, try 一言言う (hitokoto iu). This literally means "to say one word." In a very formal setting, you would use 少々申し上げます (shōshō mōshiagemasu). This is the high-level version for business meetings. Each variation changes the flavor but keeps the core meaning of brevity.
使い方のコツ
This phrase is highly versatile. Use the dictionary form `言う` for casual talk and `言います` for neutral/polite situations. Be careful not to use it before a long explanation, as it can be misleading.
Use 'Chotto'
Adding 'chotto' makes the phrase sound much more natural and polite.
Don't over-promise
If you say you will say a little, keep it short!
Body language
Raise your hand slightly when saying this to signal your intent.
例文
6その映画について、少し言いたいです。
I want to say a little bit about that movie.
A neutral way to join a discussion.
進捗について少し言います。
I will say a little about the progress.
Professional but keeps things moving quickly.
少しだけ言ってもいい？
Can I say just a little bit?
Creates curiosity and keeps it casual.
この虫について少し言いたいことがある！
I have a little something to say about this bug!
Using a formal-ish structure for a silly topic.
寂しいと少し言いました。
I said a little that I was lonely.
Softens the emotional impact of the statement.
間違いを少し言いました。
I mentioned the mistake a little.
Avoids making the mistake seem like a huge deal.
自分をテスト
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
会議で____言いたいことがあります。
少し means 'a little,' which fits the context of a brief comment.
Which is more polite?
A: 少し言った。 B: 少し言います。
B uses the polite 'masu' form.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
少し言う -> ?
The phrase literally means 'to say a little.'
Complete the sentence.
A: Can I add something? B: ____.
This is the natural response to a request to speak briefly.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
練習問題バンク
4 問題会議で____言いたいことがあります。
少し means 'a little,' which fits the context of a brief comment.
A: 少し言った。 B: 少し言います。
B uses the polite 'masu' form.
左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:
The phrase literally means 'to say a little.'
A: Can I add something? B: ____.
This is the natural response to a request to speak briefly.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
6 問No, it is actually very polite as it shows you respect the other person's time.
Yes, but use '少し申し上げます' for higher formality.
It is a common feature of Japanese phonology called devoicing.
It is mostly for spoken conversation.
Don't use this phrase. Use 'お話ししたいことがあります' instead.
Similar, but 'hitokoto' is more about a single comment.
関連フレーズ
一言言う
synonymTo say one word
ちょっと話す
similarTo talk a little
言及する
specialized formTo mention
