little
adjective [usually before noun] The forms littler and littlest are rare. It is more common to use smaller and smallest.Idioms-
not big; small; smaller than others 小的;比较小的 a little house 小房子 a little group of tourists 一小群游客 a little old lady 一位小老太太 We passed through several nice little towns. 我们经过了几个美丽的小镇。 It was a tiny little room. 这是一个小小的房间。 ‘Which do you want?’ ‘I'll take the little one.’ “你要哪一个?” “我要那个小的。” She gave a little laugh. 她笑了一笑。 - (British English)
We should manage, with a little bit of luck. 我们只要有一点点运气就能应付过去。 Here's a little something (= a small present) for your birthday. 这是送给你的生日小礼物。
Extra ExamplesIt was a lovely little village before the war. 战前那是个可爱的小村庄。 The room was full of funny little animals. 房间里满是有趣的小动物。 I was a little bit afraid of him. 我有点儿怕他。 We had a little adventure yesterday. 昨天我们经历了一次小小的冒险。 You'll feel a little sting. 你会觉得有点儿刺痛。
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young 年幼的;幼小的 a little boy/girl 小男孩;小女孩 He's just a little kid. 他只是个小孩。 my little brother/sister (= younger brother/sister) 我的弟弟/妹妹 The little ones were already in bed. 小家伙们已经在床上了。 cute little baby animals 可爱的小动物宝宝 I lived in America when I was little. 我小时候生活在美国。 He's still very little and doesn't understand yet. 他还很小,还不懂。
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(of distance or time )距离或时间 short 短的;近的;短暂的 -
used after an adjective to show approval, sympathy or dislike, especially in a patronizing way (= one that suggests that you think you are better than somebody) (用在形容词的后面表示喜爱或厌恶,尤指屈尊俯就地)可爱的,可怜的,讨厌的 -
not important; not serious 微不足道的;不严重的 I can't remember every little detail. 我记不住每一个微小的细节。 Sometimes it's the little things that count. 有时候重要的是小事。 You soon get used to the little difficulties. 你很快就会习惯这些小小的不便了。
Extra ExamplesThe system has some odd little quirks. 这个系统有些奇怪的小毛病。 It's just one of life's little mysteries. 这只是生活中的一个小秘密。 All those problems because of one little mistake! 所有这些问题都是因为一个小差错!
Word OriginOld English lȳtel, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch luttel, German dialect lützel.
Idioms
great/tall oaks from little acorns grow
- (saying)
something large and successful often begins in a very small way Topics Successc2参天橡树长自小小橡实;合抱之树,生于毫末
a little bird told me
- (informal)
used to say that somebody told you something but you do not want to say who it was (不想说出是谁告诉的)有人告诉我的,不告诉你我是怎么知道的
(it’s) no/little/small wonder (that)…
it is not surprising 微不足道的;不严重的 It is little wonder (that) she was so upset. 她如此心烦意乱,并不奇怪。 - (informal)
No wonder you're tired—you've been walking for hours. 难怪你累了呢,你一直走了好几个小时。 No wonder you're still single—you never go out! 难怪你还单身 - 你太宅了!