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Expressing "do less of" with 少 (shǎo) as a noun modifier
HSK 3Description & Modification
Numbers & Quantity
Structure
少 + Noun
Explanation
少 can modify a noun to indicate a smaller quantity, meaning "few" or "little." In imperative contexts, it advises someone to reduce the amount of something. It is a direct and common way to express moderation or restraint.
Examples
少一点盐，味道刚刚好。
Shǎo yīdiǎn yán, wèidào gānggāng hǎo.
A little less salt, and the taste is just right.
冰箱里只剩少量的牛奶了。
Bīngxiāng lǐ zhǐ shèng shǎoliàng de niúnǎi le.
There's only a small amount of milk left in the fridge.
今天来的人很少，只有三四个。
Jīntiān lái de rén hěn shǎo, zhǐyǒu sān sì gè.
Very few people came today, only three or four.