Translation and Meaning of: 稍 - yaya

The Japanese word 「稍」, read as やや (yaya), is an adverbial expression used to indicate lightness or an intermediate degree of intensity, commonly translated as "a little," "slightly," or "a tad." This word is often used to describe a subtle change or a small difference in some characteristic or state.

Etymologically, 「稍」 combines different radicals that initially carried meanings related to the idea of "elevate" or "slightly." This kanji, however, is more commonly represented by the usual use of the hiragana characters やや, which translate the same idea of subtlety and nuance. This simplification is quite common in contemporary Japanese, where many complex kanjis are replaced by hiragana in daily conversations.

In the evolution of the Japanese language, やや has maintained its function as a subtle modifier, useful in various everyday situations. Whether describing temperature, as in "a little cold," or feelings, as in "a little nervous," やや remains a valuable tool in communication for its ability to capture and express nuances and subtle gradations. This ability to capture subtleties in language reflects the Japanese appreciation for the variations and delicacies present in daily life.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 少し (sukoshi) - A little
• 少なくとも (sukunakutomo) - at least
• 少量 (shōryō) - Small amount
• わずか (wazuka) - more or less
• ちょっと (chotto) - A little (informal)
• ほんの少し (hon no sukoshi) - Just a little
• かすかに (kasuka ni) - Slightly
• ほんのわずか (hon no wazuka) - Only a little (smaller than わずか)
• ほんのちょっと (hon no chotto) - Just a little bit (informal)
• ほんの少量 (hon no shōryō) - Just a small amount
• ほんの少し (hon no sukoshi) - Just a little bit
• 少しの間 (sukoshi no aida) - For a short period of time
• 少しの時間 (sukoshi no jikan) - A short period of time
• 少しの距離 (sukoshi no kyori) - A short distance
• 少しの差 (sukoshi no sa) - A small difference
• 少しの違い (sukoshi no chigai) - A small distinction
• 少しの変化 (sukoshi no henka) - A small change
• 少しの進歩 (sukoshi no shinpo) - A small progress
• 少しの成長 (sukoshi no seichō) - A small growth
• 少しの改善 (sukoshi no kaizen) - A small improvement
• 少しの修正 (sukoshi no shūsei) - A small correction
• 少しの調整 (sukoshi no chōsei) - A small adjustment
• 少しの改良 (sukoshi no kairyō) - A small improvement or refinement
• 少しの更新 (sukoshi no kōshin) - A small update
• 少しの修繕 (sukoshi no shūzen) - A small repair
• 少しの修復 (sukoshi no shūfuku) - A small restoration

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稍

Romaji: yaya
Kana: やや
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: a little; partly; somewhat; a short time; a while

Meaning in English: a little;partially;somewhat;a short time;a while

Definition: Just once, just once.

Example Sentences - (稍) yaya

See below some example sentences:

稍微休息一下吧。

Shoumi kyuusoku hitotsu kudasai

Rest a little.

Rest a little.

• 稍微 - a little
• 休息 - rest
• 一下 - for a moment
• 吧 - particle that indicates suggestion or request