A LITTLE vs. (ONLY A) LITTLE いくらかの vs. ほとんどない(量)A little means "some" or "not none". Little and only a little mean "not much". Phrases using "little" are followed by an uncountable noun; for example, "a little money". (Be careful: In general, a little is used to make positive statements; we use it when we want to say that there IS some. But (only a) little feels negative; we use it to say that there is NOT much.) a littleは、いくらかあるという意味です。 littleとonly a littleは、ほとんどないという意味です。 littleの後には数えられない名詞が来ます。例: a little money(いくらかのお金) 注意: a littleは、肯定的な意味で、少しではあるが、ある、と言いたいときに使います。 (only a) littleは、否定的な意味で、ほとんどない、ほんの僅かしかない、 と言いたいときに使います。 1. a: Do we have any more sugar? b: Yes, I think there's a little in that cabinet over there. 2. I'm so busy these days, I have very little time to spend with my children. 3. a: Who wants some ice cream? b: I'll have a little. 4. a: Would you like some more ice cream? b: Only a little this time, please, I'm getting full. |