How to say "somewhat" in Japanese

• 多少たしょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  adverb, no-adjectiveThe plain, all-purpose choice for 'somewhat' meaning 'to a small degree': somewhat different, somewhat difficult, somewhat better. It also covers 'a little', 'some' and 'slightly'.
  今朝けさは空気くうきが多少たしょう冷つめたい。↗

  The air feels somewhat cold this morning.
• ややJLPT N1approx.Common
  adverb, prenominal modifierAlso a general adverb for 'somewhat' and 'slightly', with 'partially' among its senses; usually written in kana. Interchangeable with 多少 in plain statements like 'somewhat large' or 'somewhat late'.
  この学校がっこうは規律きりつがやや緩ゆるやかだ。↗

  Discipline is rather mild at this school.
• 幾分いくぶんJLPT N2approx.Common
  adverb, nounThe natural pick when 'somewhat' means 'to some extent' or 'to some degree'. Use it for statements like 'somewhat better' or 'somewhat different', where a partial extent is the point.
  この問題もんだいは私にとっては幾分いくぶん難むずかしい。↗

  This problem is difficult for me to some degree.
• いまいちCommon
  adverbColloquial; covers only 'somewhat (lacking)': something falls just short — not quite right or not very good. Say this for 'the result was somewhat disappointing'; it is not a neutral degree adverb.
  いまいち東芝とうしばは信用しんようできない。↗

  I can't really trust Toshiba.
• いささかCommon
  adverb, no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers 'a little; a bit; somewhat; slightly' — the same ground as 多少 and やや. For a plain 'somewhat' sentence it is a perfectly serviceable choice alongside them; usually written in kana.
  ここだけの話はなしだが、彼かれはいささか間あいだが抜ぬけている。↗

  Between you and me, he is rather stupid.

For plain 'somewhat' meaning 'to a small degree', 多少, 「やや」 and 「いささか」 are all fine; 幾分 suits 'to some extent'; reserve 「いまいち」 for when 'somewhat' implies falling short or not being quite good enough.

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

• 多少たしょうa little
• ややa little
• 幾分いくぶんsomewhat
• いまいちnot quite (right)
• いささかa little
• 少しすこしa little
• なんだか(a) little
• エトワスsomewhat
• 心なしこころなしsomehow
• 少しくすこしくa little
• 心なしかこころなしかsomehow
• ポーコpoco
• 疎おろincompletely
• なくはないnot without
• ちょっとsomewhat
• 小こsomewhat
• 若干じゃっかんsomewhat
• ちょいsomewhat
• 心持ちこころもちsomewhat
• 一種いっしゅsort of
• まあtolerably
• 今ひとついまひとつ(not) quite
• 若干そこばくsomewhat
• いくらかsomewhat
• 幾分かいくぶんかsomewhat
• ちくっとa little
• めsomewhat
• ものsomehow
• 微妙びみょうslightly
• 生なまjust a little