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.
