A bit / more
The small-degree dials and their 'more' partners, needed in almost every request or comment.
chotto
a little; a bit
ちょっと
Turns a degree or amount down to 'a bit'. It is the everyday spoken default and also softens complaints, requests and refusals.
chotto takai ne
It's a bit pricey, huh.
ちょっと高いね
chotto takai desu ne
It's a bit pricey, isn't it.
ちょっと高いですね
Said alone with a trailing tone ('chotto…'), it is a soft no (see Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases).
Learn alongside: sukoshi
sukoshi
a little; slightly
少し すこし
Means the same 'a little' as chotto but sounds more careful. It is safe in polite speech and also measures amounts (sukoshi dake).
sukoshi takai ne
It's a little expensive.
少し高いね
sukoshi takai desu ne
It's a little expensive, isn't it.
少し高いですね
Casual talk prefers chotto. Reach for sukoshi with strangers or when chotto might sound evasive.
Learn alongside: chotto
motto
more; even more
もっと
Adds 'more' to any adjective, adverb or verb (motto yukkuri, motto hoshii, motto ganbaru).
motto ganbaru ne
I'll try harder.
もっと頑張るね
motto ganbarimasu
I'll try harder.
もっと頑張ります
For 'one more' of something use mou (mou hitotsu, mou ikkai), never motto. In a request to a stranger, mou chotto or mou sukoshi sounds softer. For 'too much' the ending is -sugiru (see Grammar patterns as vocabulary).
Learn alongside: mou chotto
mou chotto
a little more
もうちょっと
Asks for or offers 'a bit more' of anything, and is softer than motto. With de it means 'almost' (mou chotto de owaru).
mou chotto yukkuri hanashite
Talk a little slower.
もうちょっとゆっくり話して
mou chotto yukkuri hanashite kudasai
Please speak a little more slowly.
もうちょっとゆっくり話してください
With strangers, mou sukoshi is the slightly more careful version.