稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi often pairs with 一下 yíxià or 一點一点 yìdiǎn to sound softer and more polite — very common in spoken Chinese.
1 稍 shāo — Literary “Slightly”
A clipped, more formal version of 稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi — often paired with single-syllable words like 等 děng, 後后 hòu, or 有 yǒu.
請稍等，我馬上回來请稍等，我马上回来
Please wait a moment, I’ll be right back.
稍後我們再討論這個問題稍后我们再讨论这个问题
We’ll discuss this problem again later.
你的發音稍有進步你的发音稍有进步
Your pronunciation has slightly improved.
2 稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi — Everyday “Slightly”
稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi can pair with a verb with or without 一下 yíxià or 一點一点 yìdiǎn — adding one makes the action sound softer and more polite.
你能稍微等一下嗎？你能稍微等一下吗？
Can you wait a little bit?
今天稍微冷了一點，記得穿外套今天稍微冷了一点，记得穿外套
It’s a little cold today; remember to wear a coat.
我們可以稍微休息一下再出發我们可以稍微休息一下再出发
We can take a short break before heading out.
稍微休息就可以繼續工作了稍微休息就可以继续工作了
A short break is enough to continue working.
3 尤其 yóuqí — “Especially”
Pattern: General statement, 尤其(是) + specific example. 尤其 pulls one standout item out of the group you just described.
這家餐廳的菜都很好吃，尤其是北京烤鴨这家餐厅的菜都很好吃，尤其是北京烤鸭
The dishes at this restaurant are all delicious, especially the Peking duck.
他對中國文化很感興趣，尤其喜歡中國歷史他对中国文化很感兴趣，尤其喜欢中国历史
He is very interested in Chinese culture, especially Chinese history.
這座城市的風景很美，尤其是秋天的時候这座城市的风景很美，尤其是秋天的时候
This city has beautiful scenery, especially in autumn.
這部電影很好看，尤其是結局，讓人印象深刻这部电影很好看，尤其是结局，让人印象深刻
This movie is really good, especially the ending, which is very impressive.
學中文的時候，有沒有老師幫助差很多，尤其針對初學者学中文的时候，有没有老师帮助差很多，尤其针对初学者
Having or not having a teacher makes a big difference when learning Chinese, especially for beginners.
| Word | Feel | Structure |
|---|
| 稍 shāo |
Literary, clipped |
稍 shāo + single-syllable V/Adj |
| 稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi |
Everyday “slightly” |
稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi + V (+一下 yíxià/一點一点 yìdiǎn) |
| 尤其 yóuqí |
“Especially” — singles out an example |
General statement, 尤其(是) yóuqí (shì) + example |
4 Common Mistake
尤其 yóuqí always needs a general statement to point back to — it can’t open a sentence on its own.
❌
尤其是北京烤鴨很好吃尤其是北京烤鸭很好吃
✅
這家餐廳的菜都很好吃，尤其是北京烤鴨这家餐厅的菜都很好吃，尤其是北京烤鸭
尤其 yóuqí singles something out from a group already mentioned. Without a general statement first, there’s nothing for it to single out.
5 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Please slow down a little.
請稍微慢一點请稍微慢一点
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02Wait a moment, the food will be ready soon.
稍等，菜馬上就好稍等，菜马上就好
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03I especially like the food in Tainan.
我尤其喜歡台南的美食我尤其喜欢台南的美食
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04This shirt is slightly too big.
這件襯衫稍微大了一點这件衬衫稍微大了一点
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05All the students did well, especially Xiaoming.
學生們都表現得很好，尤其是小明学生们都表现得很好，尤其是小明
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06The price has slightly increased recently.
最近價格稍微上漲了最近价格稍微上涨了
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07Please come a bit later.
請稍晚一點再來请稍晚一点再来
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08I like every season, especially winter.
我喜歡每個季節，尤其是冬天我喜欢每个季节，尤其是冬天
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09Please slow down a little, I can’t keep up.
請你稍微放慢一點，我跟不上请你稍微放慢一点，我跟不上
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10Of all the seasons, I especially love spring.
在所有的季節裡，我尤其鍾愛春天在所有的季节里，我尤其钟爱春天
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