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ちょっと. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ちょっと, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ちょっと in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ちょっと you have here. The definition of the word
ちょっと will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Japanese
- (adverb) ちょいと (choito), ちょい (choi), ちっと (chitto)
- (interjection): (shortening, informal) ちょっ (cho'), ちょ (cho)
Etymology
From ちっと (chitto), itself a geminated emphatic form of ちと (chito), originally composed of ち (chi, “small”, not used in isolation; cognate with the chi in 小さい chīsai) + と (to, adverbial particle).
Pronunciation
Adverb
ちょっと or チョット or チョッと • (chotto)
- slightly, a little, a bit, somewhat
- Synonyms: 少し (sukoshi), 少々 (shōshō)
- ちょっと待ってね。
- Chotto matte ne.
- Hold on, OK?
- (literally, “Wait a bit, OK?”)
- ちょっと無理
- chotto muri
- not possible
- (literally, “somewhat impossible”)
- ちょっといい？
- Chotto ii?
- Do you have some time? / We need to talk.
- an indirect expression of refusal
- 「お茶とか飲みましょう。」「ちょっと……」
- “Ocha toka nomimashō.”“chotto……”
- "Let's go have tea or something." "I don't know about that..."
Usage notes
- Used to say that something is inconvenient for one, when invited to do something.
Interjection
ちょっと or チョット or チョッと • (chotto)
- hey, excuse me
- ちょっと、聞いて良いですか。
- Chotto, kiite ii desu ka.
- Excuse me, may I ask you something?
References