Learn Hardcore Japanese: kono heya ha syousyou samui desu kara, mado wo simete mo ii desu ka. - This room is a little cold, so may I close the window?

Word

この　部屋へや　は　少々しょうしょう　寒さむい　です　から、　窓まど　を　閉しめて　も　いい　です　か。kono heya wa shoushou samui desu kara, mado o shimete mo ii desu ka.

Meaning

This room is a little cold, so may I close the window?

Part of speech

sentence

Pronunciation

Course

Lesson

Breakdown of kono heya wa shoushou samui desu kara, mado o shimete mo ii desu ka.

Why is は used after 部屋?

は is the topic marker. It marks この部屋 as the thing the speaker is talking about: as for this room.

So:

A very literal breakdown is:

Japanese often sets up the topic first and then comments on it.

What does 少々 mean, and how is it different from 少し?

少々 means a little, a bit, or somewhat. In this sentence, it softens 寒い:

Compared with 少し, 少々 sounds a bit more formal or polite. In everyday casual speech, many people would say:

So the meaning is basically the same here, but 少々 gives a slightly more polite tone.

Why is 寒い followed by です?