N4Grammar

少(すこ)しも～ない

Not even a little, Not at all, Not in the least, Never

Structure

すこしも + Verb［ない］
すこしも + ［い］Adjective［ない］
すこしも + ［な］Adjective + ではない⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ じゃない

Explanation

Derived from 少(すこ)し (a little), the expression すこしも～ない is used to strongly negate something, equivalent to saying 'not at all (A)' or 'not even a little bit (A)'. It conveys a total absence of a quality or action, meaning 'there is no (A)', '(A) doesn't happen at all', or that something is 'not (A) in the slightest'. すこしも may be placed at the start of a sentence or right before the part of the sentence it modifies.

先生(せんせい)の説明(せつめい)はすこしも分(わ)からなかった。
I couldn't understand the teacher's explanation at all.
あのテストはすこしも難(むずか)しくなかった。
That test wasn't the least bit difficult.
私(わたし)の部屋(へや)はすこしもきれいじゃない。
My room is not at all clean.

Fun Fact

This grammar pattern is a great illustration of how the も particle can introduce a sense of surprise or emphasis. This concept was touched upon in the grammar point for Number + も.

今日(きょう)もバスがすこしも来(こ)ない。
The bus hasn't come at all today either.

In this structure, も puts stress on 少(すこ)し, creating the nuance of 'not even a little'. This emphasis is what produces the strong 'not at all' meaning.

Examples

彼(かれ)は少(すこ)しも元気(げんき)ではない。

He is not energetic at all.

昨日(きのう)のパーティーは少(すこ)しも楽(たの)しくなかった。

Yesterday's party wasn't fun in the least.

少(すこ)しも辛(から)くないのに、水(みず)をたくさん飲(の)んでいる。

It is not in the least bit spicy, but he is drinking a lot of water.

勉強(べんきょう)が少(すこ)しも進(すす)まないよ。

My studies haven't progressed at all.

昨夜(さくや)は少(すこ)しも眠(ねむ)れなかった。

I wasn't able to sleep in the least last night.

そのパズルは少(すこ)しも難(むずか)しくないの？誰(だれ)も解(と)けなかったのに。

That puzzle isn't difficult for you at all? Even though no one else could solve it.

状況(じょうきょう)は少(すこ)しも良(よ)くなっていないのに、彼(かれ)は楽観的(らっかんてき)だ。

The situation has not improved at all, yet he remains optimistic.

あなたは弟(おとうと)の宿題(しゅくだい)を少(すこ)しも手伝(てつだ)ってあげない。

You never help your little brother with his homework. (Not in the least)

このアパートは少(すこ)しも便利(べんり)じゃないけど、家賃(やちん)が安(やす)いんだ。

This apartment is not the least bit convenient, but the rent is cheap.

少(すこ)しも時間(じかん)がないのに、長電話(ながでんわ)をしている。

I have no time at all, yet I'm having a long phone call.

この怪我(けが)は少(すこ)しも治(なお)らないかもしれない。

This injury might not heal in the least.

最近(さいきん)、少(すこ)しも日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)していないから、全部(ぜんぶ)忘(わす)れてしまった。

I haven't studied Japanese in the least bit recently, so I have forgotten everything.