PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent

How to Say ‘A little; a moment’ in Japanese

すこし

sukoshi

[skoo-koh-shee]

💬 Usage Tip: [すこし] means “a little,” but in restaurants it often softens time expressions, like “just a moment.” It sounds gentler than a direct command.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Staff often use [すこし] to keep things polite and calm. In service situations, soft wording is a big part of good customer care in Japan.

Phrase Breakdown

すこし

sukoshi

[skoo-koh-shee]

a little; a moment

A common polite word meaning a small amount or a short moment, often used by waiters to soften requests.

Example

すこしおまちください。

Please wait a moment.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager