little

• 形容某物在尺寸、数量或程度上很小；也可用于表达喜爱或亲昵。

Describes something as small in size, amount, or degree; also used to express affection or endearment.

1. Small in sizeA1formal

   Small in physical size or amount.

   小

   • She has a little dog that follows her everywhere.
   • He lives in a little house by the lake.
   • The little kitten was sleeping in the basket.

   同义词compactdiminutiveminiatureminutepetitepocket-sizedslightsmalltinywee

   反义词bigenormousgiantgreathugelarge

2. Small in quantityA1formal

   Not much; a small amount of something.

   少

   • There is little water left in the bottle.
   • She has little interest in politics.
   • He has little time to finish the project.

   同义词meagerminimalnegligiblescantslightsmall

   反义词abundantamplemuchplenty

3. A1formal

   Used to describe someone who is young or younger than others.

   小的

   • The little boy was playing in the park.
   • She has two little sisters.
   • When I was little, I loved to read fairy tales.

   同义词juniorminorsmallweeyoung

   反义词eldergrownold

4. Insignificant or unimportantB1informal

   Not important or significant; trivial.

   微不足道的或不重要的

   • It's just a little problem; we can fix it easily.
   • Don't worry about the little details.
   • He made a little mistake in the report.

   同义词inconsequentialinsignificantminornegligiblepaltrypettytriflingtrivialunimportant

   反义词consequentialimportantmajorsignificantweighty

• 副词，表示程度小或数量少，意为“稍微”、“少量地”；也可作限定词或形容词，表示“少的”、“小的”。

An adverb meaning "to a small extent" or "not much." It is used to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to indicate a small degree or amount. It can also function as a determiner or adjective.

1. To a small degreeA2formal

   Not much; only slightly.

   很少

   • She slept little last night.
   • He knows little about the subject.
   • The temperature changed little throughout the day.

   同义词barelyhardlymarginallyminimallyscarcelyslightlysomewhat

   反义词greatlymuchvery

2. Not at allB1formal

   Used to emphasize that something is not the case.

   一点也不

   • Little did she know that he was planning a surprise.
   • They little expected the sudden change in weather.
   • Little did they realize the consequences of their actions.

   同义词by no meansnowise

   反义词considerablygreatlymuchsubstantially

• 表示数量很少，常用于不可数名词，带有不足、不够的意味。

A determiner used with uncountable nouns to indicate a small quantity. Without the article 'a', it has a negative connotation, meaning 'not much' or 'hardly any'.

1. Small quantity (negative connotation)B1formal

   Used with uncountable nouns to emphasize that the amount is small, often implying 'not enough' or 'less than expected'. It contrasts with 'a little', which is more positive.

   少量（贬义）

   • There is little hope for recovery.
   • He has little interest in sports.
   • We have little time to finish the project.

2. Emphasis on scarcityB2formal

   Used to highlight the insufficiency or rarity of an abstract concept or substance.

   强调稀少

   • Little is known about his early life.
   • She showed little remorse for her actions.
   • There was little evidence to support the claim.

• 名词，表示少量、小数额或小程度；也可指小的东西或幼小者。

A noun referring to a small amount, degree, or size of something.

不可数

1. Small amountA1formal

   A small quantity or amount of something.

   少量

   • Add a little of sugar to the tea.
   • She only ate a little of her dinner.
   • He knows a little about the subject.

   同义词bitdashdrophintiotajotmodicumpinchsmidgensplashspotsprinkletadtouchtrace

   反义词abundancedeallotmuchplenty

2. Short distance or timeA1formal

   A short distance or period of time.

   一小段距离或时间

   • We walked a little before resting.
   • Wait a little, and I'll be ready.
   • It's just a little further to the store.

   同义词bitmomentwhile