Learn Chinese Characters 130 少

少(shǎo )




Its original meaning is “not much”. It is not much when people add one little vertical stroke under the character “小”，which is composed of three little vertical strokes.

This character has two pronunciations. When it means “not much”, it pronounced the third tone. When it means “not old”, it pronounced the fourth tone.

Useful Phrases:

The third tone
缺少(quē shǎo)  be lack of

少数(shǎo shù)  minority, small number

The fourth tone
少年(shào nián)  yongster

少女(shào nǚ )   maiden

少爷(shào yé ) 
an old title for youngsters from wealthy family  

男女老少(nán nǚ lǎo shào) 
man and women, the old and the youth