ちょっと is one of the most commonly used words in the Japanese language. It essentially means a little bit; however, it is also regularly used to soften one's tone when making a request or to refuse a request in a polite manner.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| She did a little shopping. | 彼女 は ちょっと 買い物 を しました。kanojo wa chotto kaimono o shimashita. |
| You speak Japanese a little. | あなた は ちょっと 日本語 を 話します。anata wa chotto nihongo o hanashimasu. |
| This umbrella was a little expensive. | この 傘 は ちょっと 高かった です。kono kasa wa chotto takakatta desu. |
| A: What about tomorrow? B: Tomorrow is a little ... | A： 明日 は？ B： 明日 は ちょっと。。。A: ashita wa? B: ashita wa chotto... |
In the last example, A proposes tomorrow to B (as a date to do something). B politely refuses by uttering the incomplete sentence 明日はちょっと… The o sound at the end of ちょっと is a bit extended.
