How to say "few" in Japanese

• 少ないすくないJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe basic adjective for 'few' and 'little': it states plainly that a number or amount is small. Typical when noting that few people came, few seats were left, or time was short.
  この病気びょうきに勝かてる人ひとは少すくない。↗

  Not many survive this disease.
• 若干じゃっかんJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'a few, a number of, a little (bit)': it presents a quantity as small and slight, and can also mean 'slightly.' Typical when noting that a few doubts or differences remain.
  公園こうえんのつつじの世話せわをする庭師にわしが若干じゃっかん名めいいる。↗

  Several gardeners look after the azaleas in the park.
• 少数しょうすうJLPT N1approx.Common
  adverb, no-adjectiveA noun meaning 'a small number' or 'the minority.' Use it for a small count of people or things, or a minority set against the majority — not to state simply that something is few.
  ヨットは少数しょうすうの金持かねもちだけが楽たのしめるものだ。↗

  Yachts are for the wealthy few.
• 少しょうCommon
  prefixMeaning 'small; little; few,' it is essentially a combining element found inside other words; on its own it is not how you say 'few,' so it is seldom the word you want here.
• いくつかCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'a few' in the sense of 'some, several': an indefinite small number, not framed as too few. Typical when saying you have a few questions or candidates. Usually written in kana alone.
  いくつかの点てんで私は彼女かのじょが気きに入はいらない。↗

  I don't like her in some ways.

Use 「少ない」 as the basic adjective for 'few/little,' 「いくつか」 for 'a few, several,' 若干 for 'a few, a number of,' 少数 for 'a small number or the minority,' and 少 only as an element inside other words.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 少ないすくないfew
• 若干じゃっかんsome
• 少数しょうすうsmall number
• 少しょうsmall
• いくつか(a) few
• 若干そこばくsome
• 不勢ぶぜいfew
• 些少さしょうtrifling
• 片かたfew
• 寥々りょうりょうfew
• 薄うすscarce