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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'too little' with 太少 (tài shǎo)

    Degree & Intensity
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Subject + 太少 + 了

    Explanation

    太少 (tài shǎo) means "too little" or "too few," indicating an insufficient quantity. It is commonly used to express that an amount falls short of what is needed or expected, often followed by 了 for emphasis.

    Examples

    • 这么多人吃饭，菜点得太少了吧。

      Zhème duō rén chīfàn, cài diǎn de tài shǎo le ba.

      With so many people eating, we ordered way too few dishes.

    • 你每天喝水太少了，对身体不好。

      Nǐ měi tiān hē shuǐ tài shǎo le, duì shēntǐ bù hǎo.

      You drink too little water every day — it's not good for your health.

    • 时间太少了，我们抓紧开始吧。

      Shíjiān tài shǎo le, wǒmen zhuājǐn kāishǐ ba.

      There's too little time — let's hurry up and get started.

    Often Confused With