Usage note
稍表示一点点。
shāo biǎo shì yì diǎn diǎn。
Slightly means a little bit.
Context note
稍常和稍微、稍等一起用。
shāo cháng hé shāo wēi 、 shāo děng yì qǐ yòng。
Slightly often appears with expressions like wait a moment.
5 examples
请稍等。
qǐng shāo děng。
Please wait a moment.
天气稍冷。
tiān qì shāo lěng。
The weather is slightly cold.
我稍后再来。
wǒ shāo hòu zài lái。
I will come back later.
请稍微快一点。
qǐng shāo wēi kuài yì diǎn。
Please go a little faster.
这里稍远。
zhè lǐ shāo yuǎn。
This place is a little far.
5 mini stories
请稍等一下，我马上来。
qǐng shāo děng yí xià， wǒ mǎ shàng lái。
Please wait a moment; I will come right away.
今天稍冷，记得加衣服。
jīn tiān shāo lěng， jì de jiā yī fu。
It is slightly cold today, so remember to add clothes.
他稍微想了一下就答应了。
tā shāo wēi xiǎng le yí xià jiù dā ying le。
He thought for a moment and agreed.
我稍后再给你打电话。
wǒ shāo hòu zài gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà。
I will call you later.
请把声音稍微调小一点。
qǐng bǎ shēng yīn shāo wēi tiáo xiǎo yì diǎn。
Please turn the volume down a little.
Mini dialogue
请稍等
A
你准备好了吗？
Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?
Are you ready?
B
请稍等，我马上就来。
Qǐng shāo děng, wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.
Please wait a moment, I'll be right there.
汤有点咸
A
这碗汤味道怎么样？
Zhè wǎn tāng wèidào zěnmeyàng?
How does this bowl of soup taste?
B
稍咸了一点，但很好喝。
Shāo xián le yīdiǎn, dàn hěn hǎo hē.
It's slightly salty, but very tasty.
Related words and contrasts
similar
微微
wēi wēi
slightly, a tiny bit
Both describe a small degree. 微微 is often more gentle or literary.
similar
略
lüè
slightly, a little
Used in formal or written contexts, similar to 稍.
contrast
很
hěn
very
稍 means a small degree; 很 means a large degree.