AdverbsHSK 4

Expressing "a little" with 稍微

稍微 is an adverb meaning "slightly" or "a little bit," used before verbs or adjectives to indicate a small degree.

It is more commonly used in formal or written Chinese; in casual speech 一点儿 is often preferred.

Structure

Subj. + 稍微 + Verb / Adjective

Used to soften requests or indicate a small amount/degree.

Subj. + 稍微 + Verb + 一点儿

Commonly combined with 一点儿 to add emphasis to the small degree.

请你稍微等一下。
Qǐng nǐ shāo wēi děng yí xià.
Please wait a moment.
今天稍微有点儿冷。
Jīn tiān shāo wēi yǒu diǎn r lěng.
It's a little cold today.
这道菜稍微咸了一点儿。
Zhè dào cài shāo wēi xián le yì diǎn r.
This dish is slightly too salty.
他比我稍微高一些。
Tā bǐ wǒ shāo wēi gāo yì xiē.
He is a little taller than me.
你能稍微把声音放大一点儿吗？
Nǐ néng shāo wēi bǎ shēng yīn fàng dà yì diǎn r ma?
Can you turn up the volume a little bit?