很少
很very少few=very few
少
少 (shǎo) Chinese Character: few; little; less
Start with 小, “small,” and think of a small amount: 少.
Practice 少 in the interactive lessonChinese character story: From Small to a Small Amount
少 (shǎo) means “few,” “little,” or “less,” and it contrasts with 多. 人很少 means “there are few people.” 少喝一点 means “drink a little less.” A useful expression is 不少: literally “not few,” it often means “quite a few” or “a lot.” 少 also has another reading, shào, in words such as 少年, “young person,” but learn one use at a time. For the quantity meaning, say shǎo with the third tone: fall, then rise.
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes
Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.
不少
不not少few=quite a few or many
Chinese character origin and etymology
少 is historically related to 小, “small.” Traditional dictionary analysis explains its core meaning as “not many,” while the extra slanting stroke helps distinguish the written form. The character also has the reading shào in words about youth, but this beginner lesson focuses on shǎo, “few” or “less.”
少 resembles 小 with an additional slanting stroke. Its four strokes create a compact shape associated with a small quantity. 少 contains 小 and 丿. These parts act like clues: a component may suggest a meaning category, a pronunciation, or simply preserve part of the character's historical structure.
Chinese character stroke order and structure
少 is written with 4 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.
- 小 — small — provides the quantity idea
- 丿 — slanting stroke — helps distinguish the full character
Common usage and sentence patterns
The examples below show 少 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.
这里人很少。
There are few people here.
请少喝一点。
Please drink a little less.
我学了不少汉字。
I have learned quite a few Chinese characters.
Learning tips for 少
Learn the reading as one unit: shǎo, with the third tone: falling then rising. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “few; little; less,” and write the 4 strokes from memory.
Because 少 contains reusable components, identify those clues before memorizing the whole shape. Compare it with 多 (duō, many; much); 小 (xiǎo, small); 不 (bù, not). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.
Quick review checklist
- Can you recognize 少 without pinyin?
- Can you say shǎo with the correct tone and explain “few; little; less”?
- Can you write all 4 strokes in order?
- Can you use 少 in one short sentence?
Related characters
Continue learning Chinese characters
Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.
Sources and editorial note
HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.
Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.