少ない
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Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes a small amount or number of something.
Theme
Two friends, Ken and User, are at a café discussing their coffee preferences and how much sugar they use.
少ない
すくない
a little (in quantity)
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Imagine you have a 'show' with only a few performers. You say, 'The show has a little — 少ない!' (sukunai, 'a little'). 'Show-nai' → 少ない.
Cultural Note
In Japan, 『少ない』 (sukunai) is often used to describe small quantities, such as food portions or crowd sizes. It's common in phrases like 『人が少ない』 (hito ga sukunai, 'there are few people') at quiet places.
Forms
Base: 少ないBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes a small amount or number of something.
Negative: 少なくないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『少なくない』 (sukunakunai).
Past: 少なかったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『少なかった』 (sukunakatta).
Adverbial: 少なくDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『少なく』 (sukunaku).
Comparative: より少ないComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番少ないSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.