少
shǎo
Few, little, less
How to say “do less of something” with 少 (shǎo)
少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase
少 (shǎo) — doing something less
HSK 4Verb phrases
少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase
HSK 4Verb phrases少 (shǎo) — doing something less
Rule structure
少 (shǎo) before a verb indicates doing something less or reducing the action. Often used in advice or commands.
Rule structure
少 (shǎo) before a verb indicates doing something less or reducing the action. Often used in advice or commands.
Examples
你少抽点烟。
Nǐ shǎo chōu diǎn yān.
Smoke less.
他少看电视。
Tā shǎo kàndiànshì.
Watch less TV.
你少喝点酒。
Nǐ shǎo hē diǎn jiǔ.
Drink less.
Examples
你少抽点烟。
Nǐ shǎo chōu diǎn yān.
Smoke less.
他少看电视。
Tā shǎo kàndiànshì.
Watch less TV.
你少喝点酒。
Nǐ shǎo hē diǎn jiǔ.
Drink less.
Practice
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Characters
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “doing something less” in Chinese with 少?
Use the structure: 少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase. For example: 你少抽点烟。 — “Smoke less”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
你少抽点烟。 — “Smoke less”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 4 grammar rules
到 — until (time/place/degree)
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree
害得 — causing a negative result
害得 (hàide) + Person + Verb Phrase
多 — doing something more
多 (duō) + Verb Phrase
并 — combining verbs with “and”
Verb 1 + 并 (bìng) + Verb 2
由 — emphasizing the doer of an action
由 (yóu) + Person + Verb
值得 — worth doing
值得 (zhídé) + Verb Phrase
帮忙 — separable verb
Verb + Object
并且 — moreover
Clause 1, 并且 (bìngqiě) + Clause 2