How to say "slightly" in Japanese

• ちょっとJLPT N5approx.Common
  adverbThe all-purpose word for 'slightly' as a small degree of difference: slightly tired, slightly expensive, slightly different. When you just mean 'a little, to a small extent', this is usually the word you want.
  この机つくえは私にはちょっと低ひくい。↗

  This desk is a little low for me.
• ちょいCommon
  adverbColloquial: the same 'a little, slightly' idea as ちょっと, in casual speech. Fine among friends for something like 'slightly cheaper', but it belongs to relaxed conversation rather than formal writing.
  満開まんかいをチョイ過すぎた感かんはありましたが、それでも、美うつくしい桜さくらを満喫まんきつしてきました。↗

  They seem a little past their peak, but even so we enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms.
• ほんのりCommon
  adverb (with と), suru verbCovers 'slightly' in the faint, sensory sense only: slightly pink, a slightly sweet smell, slightly warm. This onomatopoeic word paints a faint impression; it is not the word for amounts or comparisons like 'slightly more'.
  んじゃ、ほんのり・・・実力じつりょくを出だしましょうかね。↗

  Well then, let's show a little of our real strength shall we?
• ちょこっとCommon
  adverbColloquial, with a 'just a tiny bit' feel: a small amount, or doing something just a bit. Its 'slightly' use is casual; for plain statements of degree, ちょっと or 少し fit better.
  隣人りんじんが塀へいの上うえからちょこっと顔かおを覗のぞかせた。↗

  The neighbor popped his head up over the wall for a moment.
• 少しすこしJLPT N5approx.Common
  adverbThe neutral word for 'a little; a small amount', and it also covers 'slightly' as a measured difference: slightly better, slightly different, slightly more. A safe choice for any small difference or amount.
  子供こどもに少すこし愛情あいじょうを注そそいで見み給たまえ、すると君きみにおびただしい愛情あいじょうが戻もどってくる。↗

  Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.

Use 「ちょっと」 or 「少し」 for the general 'to a small degree'; 「ちょい」 and 「ちょこっと」 are colloquial choices for the same idea; 「ほんのり」 is only for faint, sensory 'slightly' like color, warmth, or smell.

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

• ちょっとa little
• ちょいa little
• ほんのりslightly
• ちょこっとa little
• 少しすこしa little
• 多少たしょうa little
• ややa little
• いささかa little
• ぽっとslightly (blushing)
• うっすらslightly
• 薄々うすうすthinly
• ほのfaintly
• ちょこんslightly (of an action)
• わずかにslightly
• 少しくすこしくa little
• ちょっちa little
• 細めにほそめに(open) a little
• なくはないnot without
• 心持ちこころもちsomewhat
• 小おslightly
• 気持ちきもちslightly
• 微妙びみょうslightly