僅かに
Only, Slightly, A little, Barely, Merely
Structure
Explanation
僅か is a な-Adjective that expresses a very small quantity or degree of something. It is frequently used adverbially, usually near the start of a clause, to show that something is insignificant. As an adjective, 僅か can be translated as 'scant' or 'meager', while its adverbial form is often translated as 'merely', 'faintly', or 'barely'.
When used as an adverb, 僅か becomes 僅かに by adding the particle に.
- コーヒーに砂糖を入れると、味がわずかに甘くなった。When I added sugar to the coffee, the taste became slightly sweeter.
- 遠くから赤ちゃんの泣き声がわずかに聞こえる。I can faintly hear a baby crying in the distance.
- 雲の隙間から月がわずかに見えた。The moon was barely visible through a gap in the clouds.
Because 僅か emphasizes an exceptionally small amount, it is often used to express modesty or to downplay something, such as one's own progress or abilities, suggesting that the amount is almost negligible.
- 一年前と比べて、日本語の会話がわずかにできるようになった。Compared to a year ago, I'm now able to converse in Japanese just a little.
Fun Fact
僅か can also be used on its own, without the particle に. When used this way, it functions more like a noun, meaning 'a tiny amount', 'a handful', or 'a trifle', referring to something of an exceptionally small quantity or number.
- 試験に合格した学生は、ほんの僅かだった。Only a very small number of students passed the exam.
- 財布に残っているお金は、もう僅かだ。There is very little money left in my wallet now.
Examples
このスープは昨日と僅かに味が違う。
This soup's flavor is slightly different from yesterday's.
地震でテーブルが僅かに揺れた。
The table shook slightly from the earthquake.
どこからか僅かに花の香りがする。
I can faintly smell flowers coming from somewhere.
冷蔵庫に牛乳が僅かに残っているだけだ。
There is only a little milk left in the refrigerator.
気温は僅かに氷点下を上回った。
The temperature rose just slightly above freezing.
このクラスで試験に合格したのは、僅かに三人だった。
Only three people in this class passed the exam.
彼の表情が僅かに曇ったのに気づいた。
I noticed his expression darken ever so slightly.
遠くに船が僅かに見える。
I can barely see a ship in the distance.
僅かに成功の可能性があると信じている。
I believe there is a slight possibility of success.
ドアが僅かに開いている。誰かいるのかな。
The door is slightly open. I wonder if someone is in there.
試合終了まで僅かに時間が残されている。
There is only a little time remaining until the end of the match.
患者の容体は昨日より僅かに良くなった。
The patient's condition has improved slightly since yesterday.