ちょっと (chotto)
CHOT-tohadverb, interjectionColloquial
A Japanese slang term. Browse all Japanese slang.
What it means
A little; a bit. The literal quantity sense, which learners get on day one.
Trailed off at the end of a sentence, a refusal: それはちょっと… means no. Nothing that follows is ever said, and nothing needs to be.
The most consequential entry in this list for a visitor. A trailing ちょっと is a firm no, not an opening for negotiation.
As an attention-getter: ちょっと！ — 'oi', 'excuse me', 'hang on a minute'.
Examples with translations
ちょっと待って。
Hang on a second.
明日はちょっと…
Tomorrow is… a bit difficult.
Note: A complete and final refusal of an invitation. Pressing further reads as rude.
Other forms
- Romanised as:
- chotto