JLPT N3 grammar

少しも〜ないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Not (even a little) A

How to form it

  • 少しもverb (nai-form)
  • 少しもい-adjective (-く form)ない
  • 少しもな-adjective (stem)ではない

How it is used

'Not even a little, not at all', always with a negative. Close to 「全く〜ない」 but focused on 'not the slightest amount'. A more casual version is 「ちっとも〜ない」.

Examples

  1. 冬は洗濯物が少しも乾かないなあ。

    The laundry doesn't dry at all in the winter.

  2. 映画は長かったが、少しも退屈しなかった。

    The film was long, but I wasn't bored in the slightest.

  3. あの人の気持ちが、少しもわからない。

    I don't understand that person's feelings at all.