little の英語での意味
littlelittle1 /ˈlɪtl/ adjective 
すべての翻訳を見る1size [usually before noun] small in size大きさが小さい: 
a little house小さな家 a cake decorated with little flowers小さな花で飾られたケーキ She was cutting the meat up into little bits.彼女は肉を小さな切れ端に切っていた。little tiny/tiny little spoken話し言葉 (=extremely small)（=非常に小さい） a little tiny puppyとても小さな子犬little bitty American English spoken話し言葉 (=extremely small)（=非常に小さい）a little something informalインフォーマル (=a small present, or a small amount of food)（=小さなプレゼント、または少量の食べ物） I’d like to buy him a little something to thank him.彼へのお礼に何か小さなものを買いたい。► see thesaurus at small2something you like or dislike [only before noun] used between an adjective and a noun to emphasize that you like or dislike something or someone, although they are not important, impressive etc形容詞と名詞の間に置き、重要でも印象的でもないものや人に対する好意や反感を強調する: It could be a nice little business.それはなかなかいい小さなビジネスになるかもしれない。 a useful little gadget役に立つ小さなガジェット It was another of her silly little jokes.それはまた彼女のくだらない冗談の一つだった。 a boring little manつまらない小男poor little thing (=used to show sympathy)（=同情を示すために使う） The poor little thing had hurt its wing.かわいそうに、その小さな生き物は翼を傷めていた。3 a little bit a)a small amount of something少量little of With a little bit of luck we should finish by five o’clock.少し運があれば、五時までに終わるはずだ。 I’m going to give you a little bit of advice.ちょっとアドバイスをしてあげましょう。 Let me tell you a little bit about myself.自分のことを少し話させてください。 b)slightly or to a small degreeわずかに；少し: I was a little bit disappointed.少し失望した。4time/distance [only before noun] short in time or distance時間や距離が短い: You could have a little sleep in the car.車の中で少し眠ることができるよ。 We walked a little way along this path.私たちはこの道を少し歩いた。 He arrived a little while ago.彼はつい少し前に着いた。5young little children are young子どもが小さいとは幼いことを意味する: We didn’t have toys like this when I was little.私が子どもの頃はこんなおもちゃはなかった。little boy/girl two little boys playing in the street通りで遊んでいる二人の男の子somebody’s little boy/girl (=someone’s son or daughter who is still a child)（=まだ子どもの息子や娘） Mum, I’m 17 – I’m not your little girl any longer.お母さん、私は17歳よ。もうあなたの小さな女の子じゃないわ。somebody’s little brother/sister (=a younger brother or sister who is still a child)（=まだ子どもの弟や妹） Her little brother and sister were fighting again.彼女の弟と妹がまたけんかをしていた。► see thesaurus at young6slight [only before noun] done in a way that is not very noticeableあまり目立たない様子で行われる: a little smileかすかな微笑み Nicolo gave a little nod of his head.ニコロはかすかにうなずいた。7unimportant [only before noun] a)not important重要でない: She gets very angry over little things.彼女はちょっとしたことでとても怒る。 There isn’t time to discuss every little detail.すべての細かい点について話し合う時間はない。 b)not important – used when you really think that something is important重要でない――実際には重要だと思っているときに使う: There’s just that little matter of the £5,000 you owe me.あなたが私に借りている5,000ポンドという些細な問題があるだけですが。8(just) that little bit better/easier etc better, easier etc by a small amount that will have an important effectわずかな差でより良く、より楽などになり、それが大きな効果をもたらす: Working fewer hours will make life just that little bit easier for me.勤務時間を減らすことで、私の生活が少し楽になる。9the little woman old-fashioned旧式 someone’s wife – often used humorously but now considered offensive by many women誰かの妻――しばしばユーモラスに使われるが、現在は多くの女性が不快に感じる表現 → a little bird told me at bird(4)GRAMMAR文法Order of adjectives形容詞の語順If there is more than one adjective, the adjectives are usually used in a fixed order.形容詞が複数ある場合、通常は決まった順序で使われる。You say: · What a pretty little cottage! ✗Don’t say: What a little pretty cottage!正しい表現：· What a pretty little cottage! ✗誤った表現：What a little pretty cottage!You say: · I bought a little black bag. ✗Don’t say: I bought a black little bag.正しい表現：· I bought a little black bag. ✗誤った表現：I bought a black little bag.Comparatives比較級You can say smaller or smallest, but ‘littler’ and ‘littlest’ are not often used. You say: · Her feet are even smaller than mine. ✗Don’t say: Her feet are even littler than mine. | Her feet are more little than mine.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESsmaller や smallest は使えるが、"littler" や "littlest" はあまり使われない。正しい表現：· Her feet are even smaller than mine. ✗誤った表現：Her feet are even littler than mine. | Her feet are more little than mine. 文法ガイド ‒ 形容詞
すべての翻訳を見る1size [usually before noun] small in size大きさが小さい: a little house小さな家 a cake decorated with little flowers小さな花で飾られたケーキ She was cutting the meat up into little bits.彼女は肉を小さな切れ端に切っていた。little tiny/tiny little spoken話し言葉 (=extremely small)（=非常に小さい） a little tiny puppyとても小さな子犬little bitty American English spoken話し言葉 (=extremely small)（=非常に小さい）a little something informalインフォーマル (=a small present, or a small amount of food)（=小さなプレゼント、または少量の食べ物） I’d like to buy him a little something to thank him.彼へのお礼に何か小さなものを買いたい。► see thesaurus at small2something you like or dislike [only before noun] used between an adjective and a noun to emphasize that you like or dislike something or someone, although they are not important, impressive etc形容詞と名詞の間に置き、重要でも印象的でもないものや人に対する好意や反感を強調する: It could be a nice little business.それはなかなかいい小さなビジネスになるかもしれない。 a useful little gadget役に立つ小さなガジェット It was another of her silly little jokes.それはまた彼女のくだらない冗談の一つだった。 a boring little manつまらない小男poor little thing (=used to show sympathy)（=同情を示すために使う） The poor little thing had hurt its wing.かわいそうに、その小さな生き物は翼を傷めていた。3 a little bit a)a small amount of something少量little of With a little bit of luck we should finish by five o’clock.少し運があれば、五時までに終わるはずだ。 I’m going to give you a little bit of advice.ちょっとアドバイスをしてあげましょう。 Let me tell you a little bit about myself.自分のことを少し話させてください。 b)slightly or to a small degreeわずかに；少し: I was a little bit disappointed.少し失望した。4time/distance [only before noun] short in time or distance時間や距離が短い: You could have a little sleep in the car.車の中で少し眠ることができるよ。 We walked a little way along this path.私たちはこの道を少し歩いた。 He arrived a little while ago.彼はつい少し前に着いた。5young little children are young子どもが小さいとは幼いことを意味する: We didn’t have toys like this when I was little.私が子どもの頃はこんなおもちゃはなかった。little boy/girl two little boys playing in the street通りで遊んでいる二人の男の子somebody’s little boy/girl (=someone’s son or daughter who is still a child)（=まだ子どもの息子や娘） Mum, I’m 17 – I’m not your little girl any longer.お母さん、私は17歳よ。もうあなたの小さな女の子じゃないわ。somebody’s little brother/sister (=a younger brother or sister who is still a child)（=まだ子どもの弟や妹） Her little brother and sister were fighting again.彼女の弟と妹がまたけんかをしていた。► see thesaurus at young6slight [only before noun] done in a way that is not very noticeableあまり目立たない様子で行われる: a little smileかすかな微笑み Nicolo gave a little nod of his head.ニコロはかすかにうなずいた。7unimportant [only before noun] a)not important重要でない: She gets very angry over little things.彼女はちょっとしたことでとても怒る。 There isn’t time to discuss every little detail.すべての細かい点について話し合う時間はない。 b)not important – used when you really think that something is important重要でない――実際には重要だと思っているときに使う: There’s just that little matter of the £5,000 you owe me.あなたが私に借りている5,000ポンドという些細な問題があるだけですが。8(just) that little bit better/easier etc better, easier etc by a small amount that will have an important effectわずかな差でより良く、より楽などになり、それが大きな効果をもたらす: Working fewer hours will make life just that little bit easier for me.勤務時間を減らすことで、私の生活が少し楽になる。9the little woman old-fashioned旧式 someone’s wife – often used humorously but now considered offensive by many women誰かの妻――しばしばユーモラスに使われるが、現在は多くの女性が不快に感じる表現 → a little bird told me at bird(4)GRAMMAR文法Order of adjectives形容詞の語順If there is more than one adjective, the adjectives are usually used in a fixed order.形容詞が複数ある場合、通常は決まった順序で使われる。You say: · What a pretty little cottage! ✗Don’t say: What a little pretty cottage!正しい表現：· What a pretty little cottage! ✗誤った表現：What a little pretty cottage!You say: · I bought a little black bag. ✗Don’t say: I bought a black little bag.正しい表現：· I bought a little black bag. ✗誤った表現：I bought a black little bag.Comparatives比較級You can say smaller or smallest, but ‘littler’ and ‘littlest’ are not often used. You say: · Her feet are even smaller than mine. ✗Don’t say: Her feet are even littler than mine. | Her feet are more little than mine.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESsmaller や smallest は使えるが、"littler" や "littlest" はあまり使われない。正しい表現：· Her feet are even smaller than mine. ✗誤った表現：Her feet are even littler than mine. | Her feet are more little than mine. 文法ガイド ‒ 形容詞littlelittle2 determiner, pronoun 1only a small amount or hardly any of somethingごくわずか；ほとんどない: There’s little doubt in my mind that he’s guilty.彼が有罪であることはほぼ疑いようがない。 I paid little attention to what the others were saying.私は他の人たちが言っていることにほとんど注意を払わなかった。 Little is known about the causes of the problem.この問題の原因についてはほとんど知られていない。 Changes in the law have done little to improve the situation.法律の改正は状況の改善にほとんど役立っていない。little of Little of their wealth now remains.彼らの財産はほとんど残っていない。 There’s very little money left.お金はほとんど残っていない。 Many of the students speak little or no English.多くの学生は英語をほとんど、あるいはまったく話せない。 He knew little or nothing (=almost nothing) about fixing cars.彼は車の修理についてほとんど何も（=ほぼ何も）知らなかった。 My lawyer advised me to say as little as possible.弁護士はできるだけ少ししか話さないよう私に助言した。 He did precious little (=very little) to help.彼は助けるためにほとんど何も（=ごくわずかしか）しなかった。 The laboratory tests are of little real value.実験室での検査はほとんど実際の価値がない。2a little a small amount少量；少し: Fortunately I had a little time to spare.幸いなことに、少し時間の余裕があった。 Susan speaks a little French.Susanは少しフランス語を話す。 A little over half the class can swim.クラスの半分をわずかに超える人数が泳げる。 He walked on a little (=a short distance) and then turned back.彼は少し（=短い距離）歩いてから引き返した。a little more/less Would you like a little more milk in your coffee?コーヒーにもう少しミルクを入れますか？little of The city is regaining a little of its former splendour.街はかつての輝きを少し取り戻しつつある。3as little as £5/3 months/10 feet etc used to emphasize how surprisingly small an amount is量が驚くほど少ないことを強調するために使う: Prices for his paintings start from as little as £100.彼の絵の値段はわずか100ポンドから始まる。 The weather can change completely in as little as half an hour.天気はわずか30分で完全に変わることがある。4what little (also the little (that)) used to emphasize how small an amount there is, how small an amount is possible etc量がいかに少ないか、いかに少ない量で可能かなどを強調するために使う: We did what little we could to help.私たちはわずかながらできることをして助けようとした。 I handed over what little money I had left.残っているわずかなお金を渡した。5a little (of something) goes a long way spoken話し言葉 used to say that only a small amount of something is needed or has a great effectわずかな量で十分、またはわずかな量でも大きな効果があることを表すのに使う: A little kindness goes a long way.少しの親切心が大いに役立つ。GRAMMAR: Comparison文法：比較a little• A little means ‘some, but not a lot’.• a little は「少しはあるが、多くはない」という意味。• You use a little before uncountable nouns: · We still have a little time left.• a little は不可算名詞の前に使う：· We still have a little time left.• You can say a little of the: · A little of the milk got spilled. ✗Don’t say: A little of milk got spilled.• a little of the と言うことができる：· A little of the milk got spilled. ✗誤った表現：A little of milk got spilled.little• Little is mainly used in more formal English. It means ‘not much’ and emphasizes how small an amount is.• little は主に改まった英語で使われる。「あまりない」という意味で、量の少なさを強調する。• You use little before uncountable nouns: · There is little chance of success.• little は不可算名詞の前に使う：· There is little chance of success.• You can say very little: · He has very little money.• very little と言うことができる：· He has very little money.• In everyday English, people usually say not much instead: · There is not much chance of success.· He does not have much money.• 日常英語では、代わりに not much を使うことが多い：· There is not much chance of success. · He does not have much money.
1only a small amount or hardly any of somethingごくわずか；ほとんどない: There’s little doubt in my mind that he’s guilty.彼が有罪であることはほぼ疑いようがない。 I paid little attention to what the others were saying.私は他の人たちが言っていることにほとんど注意を払わなかった。 Little is known about the causes of the problem.この問題の原因についてはほとんど知られていない。 Changes in the law have done little to improve the situation.法律の改正は状況の改善にほとんど役立っていない。little of Little of their wealth now remains.彼らの財産はほとんど残っていない。 There’s very little money left.お金はほとんど残っていない。 Many of the students speak little or no English.多くの学生は英語をほとんど、あるいはまったく話せない。 He knew little or nothing (=almost nothing) about fixing cars.彼は車の修理についてほとんど何も（=ほぼ何も）知らなかった。 My lawyer advised me to say as little as possible.弁護士はできるだけ少ししか話さないよう私に助言した。 He did precious little (=very little) to help.彼は助けるためにほとんど何も（=ごくわずかしか）しなかった。 The laboratory tests are of little real value.実験室での検査はほとんど実際の価値がない。2a little a small amount少量；少し: Fortunately I had a little time to spare.幸いなことに、少し時間の余裕があった。 Susan speaks a little French.Susanは少しフランス語を話す。 A little over half the class can swim.クラスの半分をわずかに超える人数が泳げる。 He walked on a little (=a short distance) and then turned back.彼は少し（=短い距離）歩いてから引き返した。a little more/less Would you like a little more milk in your coffee?コーヒーにもう少しミルクを入れますか？little of The city is regaining a little of its former splendour.街はかつての輝きを少し取り戻しつつある。3as little as £5/3 months/10 feet etc used to emphasize how surprisingly small an amount is量が驚くほど少ないことを強調するために使う: Prices for his paintings start from as little as £100.彼の絵の値段はわずか100ポンドから始まる。 The weather can change completely in as little as half an hour.天気はわずか30分で完全に変わることがある。4what little (also the little (that)) used to emphasize how small an amount there is, how small an amount is possible etc量がいかに少ないか、いかに少ない量で可能かなどを強調するために使う: We did what little we could to help.私たちはわずかながらできることをして助けようとした。 I handed over what little money I had left.残っているわずかなお金を渡した。5a little (of something) goes a long way spoken話し言葉 used to say that only a small amount of something is needed or has a great effectわずかな量で十分、またはわずかな量でも大きな効果があることを表すのに使う: A little kindness goes a long way.少しの親切心が大いに役立つ。GRAMMAR: Comparison文法：比較a little• A little means ‘some, but not a lot’.• a little は「少しはあるが、多くはない」という意味。• You use a little before uncountable nouns: · We still have a little time left.• a little は不可算名詞の前に使う：· We still have a little time left.• You can say a little of the: · A little of the milk got spilled. ✗Don’t say: A little of milk got spilled.• a little of the と言うことができる：· A little of the milk got spilled. ✗誤った表現：A little of milk got spilled.little• Little is mainly used in more formal English. It means ‘not much’ and emphasizes how small an amount is.• little は主に改まった英語で使われる。「あまりない」という意味で、量の少なさを強調する。• You use little before uncountable nouns: · There is little chance of success.• little は不可算名詞の前に使う：· There is little chance of success.• You can say very little: · He has very little money.• very little と言うことができる：· He has very little money.• In everyday English, people usually say not much instead: · There is not much chance of success.· He does not have much money.• 日常英語では、代わりに not much を使うことが多い：· There is not much chance of success. · He does not have much money.littlelittle3 adverb 1a little slightly or to a small degreeわずかに；少し SYN a bit: She trembled a little as she spoke.彼女は話しながら少し震えた。 He was a little surprised at her request.彼は彼女の頼みに少し驚いた。a little more/better/further etc We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens.何が起きるか見るためにもう少し待たなければならない。2not much or only slightlyあまり～ない；わずかに: The town has changed little over the years.その町は長年ほとんど変わっていない。 The situation has improved very little.状況はほとんど改善されていない。little known/understood etc (=not known about by many people)（=多くの人に知られていない） a little known corner of the world世界のほとんど知られていない一角little more/better etc (than something) His voice was little more than a whisper.彼の声はほぼ囁きに過ぎなかった。3little did somebody know/realize/think etc used to say that someone did not know or think that something would happen or was true何かが起こるとは、または真実であるとは思っていなかったことを表すのに使う: Little did I know that the course of my life was about to change.自分の人生の方向がまさに変わろうとしていたとは、そのときは思いもしなかった。4little by little gradually徐々に: Little by little he became accepted by the family.少しずつ彼は家族に受け入れられるようになった。5more than a little/not a little literary文語 extremely非常に；極めて: Graham was more than a little frightened by what he had seen.Grahamは見たものに少しどころか非常に怯えていた。GRAMMAR: Word order文法：語順You use a little before an adjective: · I was a little worried about her. ✗Don’t say: I was worried a little about her.a little は形容詞の前に置く：· I was a little worried about her. ✗誤った表現：I was worried a little about her.
1a little slightly or to a small degreeわずかに；少し SYN a bit: She trembled a little as she spoke.彼女は話しながら少し震えた。 He was a little surprised at her request.彼は彼女の頼みに少し驚いた。a little more/better/further etc We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens.何が起きるか見るためにもう少し待たなければならない。2not much or only slightlyあまり～ない；わずかに: The town has changed little over the years.その町は長年ほとんど変わっていない。 The situation has improved very little.状況はほとんど改善されていない。little known/understood etc (=not known about by many people)（=多くの人に知られていない） a little known corner of the world世界のほとんど知られていない一角little more/better etc (than something) His voice was little more than a whisper.彼の声はほぼ囁きに過ぎなかった。3little did somebody know/realize/think etc used to say that someone did not know or think that something would happen or was true何かが起こるとは、または真実であるとは思っていなかったことを表すのに使う: Little did I know that the course of my life was about to change.自分の人生の方向がまさに変わろうとしていたとは、そのときは思いもしなかった。4little by little gradually徐々に: Little by little he became accepted by the family.少しずつ彼は家族に受け入れられるようになった。5more than a little/not a little literary文語 extremely非常に；極めて: Graham was more than a little frightened by what he had seen.Grahamは見たものに少しどころか非常に怯えていた。GRAMMAR: Word order文法：語順You use a little before an adjective: · I was a little worried about her. ✗Don’t say: I was worried a little about her.a little は形容詞の前に置く：· I was a little worried about her. ✗誤った表現：I was worried a little about her.