若干
Refers to an indefinite but small amount, number, or degree. It is commonly used to mean 'some,' 'a few,' or 'slightly,' particularly in formal, written, or professional contexts.
Examples
3 of 5若干のパンがテーブルに残っている。
A small amount of bread is left on the table.
本年度の採用予定人数は若干名です。
The number of planned hires for this fiscal year is a few people.
今日は若干、気分が悪いんだ。
I feel slightly unwell today.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Look at the kanji: 若 (young/low in number) and 干 (dry/intervene). Think of 'Jakkan' as 'Jack can' only hold a *few* things.
Quick Quiz
会議の開始時間が___遅れる見込みです。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 若干
Examples
若干のパンがテーブルに残っている。
everydayA small amount of bread is left on the table.
本年度の採用予定人数は若干名です。
formalThe number of planned hires for this fiscal year is a few people.
今日は若干、気分が悪いんだ。
informalI feel slightly unwell today.
先行研究と比較して、若干の差異が認められた。
academicCompared to previous studies, some differences were observed.
予算を若干上回る可能性があります。
businessThere is a possibility that we will slightly exceed the budget.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
若干名募集
recruiting a few people
若干の猶予
some leeway / a bit of time
若干の余裕
a little bit of room/spare
Often Confused With
Sukoshi is the general, everyday word for 'a little', while Jakkan is more formal and literary.
Ikubun emphasizes 'to some extent' or a portion of a whole, whereas Jakkan focuses on a small quantity.
Usage Notes
Jakkan is often used in business or official announcements where a specific number isn't fixed but is known to be small. It functions as both an adverb and a noun (usually with 'no').
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it in very casual conversation where it sounds overly stiff; use 'chotto' or 'sukoshi' instead for casual talk.
Memory Tip
Look at the kanji: 若 (young/low in number) and 干 (dry/intervene). Think of 'Jakkan' as 'Jack can' only hold a *few* things.
Word Origin
Derived from Classical Chinese, where it originally meant 'as many as this' or 'a certain amount'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Japanese job listings, '若干名' (jakkan-mei) is a standard phrase used when an employer wants to hire a small, flexible number of candidates based on quality rather than a fixed quota.
Quick Quiz
会議の開始時間が___遅れる見込みです。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 若干
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
対角
A1Refers to a diagonal relationship or position, specifically relating to opposite corners or angles in a geometric shape or a physical space. It is commonly used in mathematics to describe lines connecting non-adjacent vertices, as well as in daily life to describe sitting or standing diagonally across from someone.
半径
A1The distance from the center of a circle to its outer edge. It is half of the diameter and is used in both mathematical contexts and to describe a physical area around a specific point.
直径
A1The distance from one side of a circle to the other, passing through the center point. It is a fundamental measurement used in geometry and daily life to describe the size of round objects like plates or pipes.
面積
A1面積 refers to the measurement of the size of a surface or the amount of space inside a two-dimensional shape. It is commonly used in mathematics, real estate, and geography to describe how much space a flat object or land occupies.
容積
A1The internal volume or capacity of a container or three-dimensional space. It refers to how much a container can hold, often used in architectural, shipping, or scientific contexts.
重量
A1The measurement of how heavy an object is, typically expressed in standard units like kilograms or pounds. It is frequently used in technical, industrial, or official contexts such as shipping and manufacturing.
密度
A1Density refers to the degree to which something is compact or crowded. It can describe physical mass per volume, the concentration of people in an area, or the richness and intensity of time and content.
濃度
A1The degree to which a substance is contained within a solution or mixture, or the depth of color and thickness of a liquid. It is commonly used in scientific, culinary, and environmental contexts to describe how strong or weak a solution is.
硬度
A1Hardness refers to the degree or level of how hard a material is, often measured scientifically. It is commonly used to describe the physical properties of minerals, metals, or the mineral content in water (water hardness).
温度
A1Temperature refers to the physical measurement of how hot or cold an object, liquid, or environment is. It is measured in degrees and is a fundamental concept used in daily life, science, and weather.
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