2 ways to say “a little” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-1.m4a” /]קְצַת, מְעַט

In the first lesson of our Level 1 Hebrew course, we teach the common word for a little or a bit – קצת[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-2.m4a” /].

From that lesson:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-3.m4a” /]אני מדברת קצת עברית.

I (a female) speak a little Hebrew.

Another way of saying a little is מעט[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-4.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-5.m4a” /]יש לי מעט מאוד כסף בכיס.

I have very little money in my (the) pocket.

מעט also means few, and is preferable over קצת in this case.

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-6.m4a” /]יש מעט מאוד אנשים שמבינים אותה.

There are very few people who understand her.

מעט typically appears with מאוד[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-7.m4a” /], but can stand alone as well:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/מעט-8.m4a” /]יש מעט אנשים במסעדה בשעה כזאת.

There are few in the restaurant at this hour.