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少
shǎo
few
这里的人很少。
There are very few people here.
neutral
Small in number; not many
他很少说话。
He speaks very little.
这里的商店很少。
There are very few shops here.
Used to indicate scarcity or low frequency.
neutral
Young in age
他比我少两岁。
He is two years younger than me.
这孩子还少。
This child is still young.
Often used in comparisons or to describe someone's age.
neutral
To lack or be missing
我们缺少经验。
We lack experience.
这本书少了几页。
This book is missing a few pages.
Used as a verb to indicate absence or deficiency.
Pro Tip
Age vs. Quantity
'少' can mean 'young' when referring to age (e.g., 年少 'young') or 'few' when referring to quantity (e.g., 人很少 'few people'). Context determines the meaning.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
As an adjective or adverb, '少' typically appears before the noun or verb it modifies. As a verb, it often follows the subject.
Word Origin
From Old Chinese '少', meaning 'small in quantity' or 'young in age', derived from Proto-Sino-Tibetan roots.
Usage Notes
少 can function as an adjective, adverb, or verb depending on context. As an adjective, it describes scarcity ('few'). As an adverb, it modifies verbs to indicate low frequency ('rarely'). As a verb, it means 'to lack' or 'to be missing'.
Word Breakdown
少
small in quantity or young in age
root汉英词典