How to Say ‘It hurts a little.’ in Japanese
ちょっと痛いです。
chotto itai desu
[choht-toh ee-TAH-ee dess]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Adding ちょっと softens a complaint, so this is a gentle, normal way to ask for lighter pressure without sounding upset.
Phrase Breakdown
ちょっと
chotto
[choht-toh]
a little; a bit
Placed before an adjective to soften the impact. Good for negotiating quiet hours politely.
夜は音楽がちょっと大きいです。
At night, the music is a little loud.
痛い
itai
[ee-TAH-ee]
painful; it hurts
I-adjective describing pain.
頭が痛いです。
My head hurts.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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