少 Stroke Order — How to Write 少
少 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 小, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
少 Radical and Character Components
少 is a pictograph. Grains of sand; 小 provides the pronunciation and meaning.
Radical: 小 + 1 more stroke
少 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- shǎo
- shào
Meanings of 少 in Chinese
1
shǎo少
Small in quantity, few, or a little, opposite to 'many'.
我需要少量盐。
I need a small amount of salt.
To lack; to be insufficient; less; few.
我们需要减少浪费。
We need to reduce waste.
Infrequent; rare; seldom.
这种花现在很少见了。
This kind of flower is rarely seen now.
A short period of time, indicating brevity; similar to 'a moment' or 'a little while'. For example, '少等' means 'wait a moment'.
请您少等片刻。
Please wait a moment.
To be missing; to lack something that should be present.
我的钱包里少了一百块钱。
One hundred yuan is missing from my wallet.
To despise; to belittle; to look down upon (someone or something). This usage is primarily found in classical Chinese, often conveying a dismissive attitude towards one's knowledge, virtues, or achievements.
我们不可少人之学识，应虚心求教
We must not belittle others' knowledge; we should humbly seek instruction.
2
shào少
When pronounced shào, it refers to being young in age or a young person.
他虽然年纪不大，但已经是出色的少年运动员。
Although he is not old, he is already an excellent young athlete.
An ancient assistant official to a high-ranking superior, such as a Grand Tutor or Grand Guardian.
在古代，少傅是太子的老师。
In ancient times, the Grand Tutor (Shaofu) was the prince's teacher.
Junior/subordinate in rank, often used in military titles like 'major' or 'major general'.
他被提升为少校。
He was promoted to major.
Common Words and Phrases with 少
1
young and beautiful; also refers to young and beautiful women
她正值少艾之年，顾盼生辉，引得众人侧目。
She is in the prime of her youthful beauty, radiating charm with every glance, which draws everyone's attention.
2
Be patient and don't be anxious.
大家少安无躁，专家正在努力解决技术问题，很快就会有结果。
Please be patient everyone, the experts are working hard to solve the technical problem, and there will be results soon.
3
young and inexperienced
别怪她，她还少不更事，不懂得如何处理这样的事情。
Don't blame her, she's still young and inexperienced and doesn't know how to handle such matters.
4
cannot do without; indispensable; unavoidable
学习新知识，认真思考少不了
To learn new knowledge, careful thinking is indispensable.
5
6
Less but better; fewer and higher quality.
我们公司一直秉持着“少而精”的原则，只推出几款精品应用，而不是一大堆平庸的产品。
Our company has always adhered to the principle of "fewer but better," launching only a few high-quality applications instead of a multitude of mediocre products.
7
an official title in ancient China, especially during the Tang Dynasty, referring to a county sheriff or magistrate.
在古代，少府负责管理皇帝的私人财产和宫廷内部事务。
In ancient times, the Shaofu was responsible for managing the emperor's private property and internal palace affairs.
8
young married woman
那位少妇穿着一件优雅的旗袍，显得格外端庄
That young married woman wore an elegant qipao, appearing exceptionally dignified.
9
Soon; after a short while; (of an illness) slightly better; a small gap.
她坐下歇息了片刻，少间便觉得精神好多了，可以继续前行。
She sat down and rested for a moment, and a short while later, she felt much better and could continue on her journey.
10
To consider something remarkable simply because one has not seen it before; to be easily surprised due to lack of exposure.
他第一次来到大城市，看到什么都觉得新鲜，真是有点少见多怪
When he first came to the big city, everything seemed new to him; he was indeed a bit easily surprised due to lack of exposure.
11
major general
他因其在复杂任务中的卓越表现，被提升为少将。
He was promoted to Major General for his outstanding performance in complex missions.
12
13
An ancient sacrificial offering consisting of a pig and a sheep.
在古代的祭祀仪式中，少牢是重要的祭品之一，以示对神明的敬意。
In ancient sacrificial rituals, "Shao Lao" (a sheep and a pig) was one of the important offerings to show reverence to the deities.
14
To dispense with formalities; to be less formal or courteous.
家中简陋，招待不周，还望各位少礼，随意而坐
My home is humble, and I apologize for the inadequate hospitality; please don't stand on ceremony, and feel free to sit wherever you like.
15
Young mistress of a prominent or wealthy household; daughter-in-law (often used as a respectful address).
新来的丫鬟对少奶奶非常尊敬，凡事都仔细地听从吩咐。
The new maid was very respectful to the young mistress, meticulously following all instructions.
16
A young person, typically between the ages of 10 and 16.
那位少年在公园里踢足球，充满了活力
That young person was playing football in the park, full of energy.
More words with 少
- xī稀shǎo少scarce, rare
- kuò阔shào少pampered son of a wealthy family
- jián减shǎo少reduce, decrease
- méi没duō多shǎo少not much; not many; little; brief
- shào少nǚ女girl, maiden
- sháo少xǔ许a little, a small amount
- bù不shǎo少quite a few, quite a lot
- duō多shǎo少How much, How many
- hén很shǎo少few, little
- shǎo少jiàn见Rare, Uncommon
- shǎo少liàng量A small amount, A little
- shǎo少shù数minority, few
- shǎo少shuō说Talk less, At least
- shào少xiào校Major
- shào少ye爷Young master, Spoiled young man
- yù愈lái来yù愈shǎo少less and less
- zhì至shǎo少at least, at the very least
- qīng青shào少nián年Teenager, Youth
- quē缺shǎo少lack, be short of
- bù不shǎo少rén人many people, quite a few people
Idioms with 少
- shǎo少ān安wú毋zào躁Be patient and calm
- shǎo少ān安wù勿zào躁be patient, do not be impatient
- shào少bù不jīng经shì事Young and inexperienced
- shǎo少chī吃quē缺chuān穿lacking food and clothing
- shào少nián年lǎo老chéng成young in years, old in manner
- shào少nǚ女nèn嫩fù妇young and delicate women
- shǎo少sī私guǎ寡yù欲few selfish desires
- shǎo少tóu头méi没wěi尾incomplete or poorly done
- shǎo少tóu头quē缺wěi尾incomplete or fragmentary
- shào少xiǎo小wú无cāi猜innocent childhood playmates
- shǎo少yán言guǎ寡yǔ语taciturn and reticent
- bì必bù不kě可shǎo少absolutely essential
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Open the tool →Questions about 少
What does 少 mean in Chinese?
少 (shǎo) means “Small in quantity” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 少?
少 has 2 pronunciations: shǎo, shào.
How many strokes does 少 have?
少 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 少?
少 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 小. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 少?
The radical of 少 is 小, and 少 is a pictograph.
