[限定词和代词]不多,少: There's little hope of finding survivors. Do you take milk? ~Just a little.
[副词]少;有点儿:I'm afraid I'm a little late. The town has changed very little.
[形容词]不大的,小的 :They have a little house in the country.
语法结构
1 little | + 不可数名词
little | + of | + the/this/your等 | + 不可数名词
They have very little food or water with them.
There is little real evidence to support the theory.
Little of the food reached the people who needed it.
表示几乎没有（否定意义）.
2 a little | + 不可数名词
a little | + of | + the/this/your等 | + 不可数名词
I have a little cash,so let me pay.
Can I put a little of this cheese on my pasta?
表示有少量(肯定意义).
3 限定词 | + little | + 可数名词
Look at the sweet little monkey!
It was sad film about a little boy who ran away...
经常用在令人心生怜悯的语境中谈论某种小的东西
4 a little | + 形容词
It's a little cold in here: shall I put on the heating?
Would you like to go out?~Actually,I'm a little tired.
降低所说之事的重要性(= a bit) 。
5 a little | + 比较级 | (+ than)
How is your father?~He's a little better,thanks.
I shop here. It's a little cheaper than the supermarket.
Can I have a little more,please?
表示微小的差异.
6 动词 | + 名词短语 | + a little
Can you turn the volume down a little?
Fry the vegetables a little and then add soy sauce.
表示做某事，但动作幅度很小.
注意:在口语里,a bit(of) 比a little 更常用于语法结构2、4、5和6:a bit of this cheese;
it's a bit cold; he's a bit better; fry the vegetables a bit.
7 动词 | + very | + little
On the way home they spoke very little.
The situation has improved very little.
表示事情很少发生，或者即便发生动作幅度也很小.
搭配
经常跟在"little (+real)"(语法结构1)后面的抽象名词有:hope,chance,
change,reason,effect,use,point,importance,news,evidence和value.
There has been little change in the situation.
The new law has had little real effect on immigration patterns.
a little 和while,way 以及bit等词连用:
A little while later,the guests started arriving.
It's a little bit warmer today,isn't it?
little用作形容词(语法结构3)经常与其他 形容词连用:tiny little,little tiny;nice/pretty/sweet/lovely/
adorable etc. little;poor little.
They have a tiny little flat in Bayswater.
What an adorable little kitten!
固定短语
'just a little '只要一点儿
Would you like some more wine? ~ Just a little,thanks.
对别人提供一定数量的某物作出回答.
as little as possible = the absolute minimum 尽可能少
Does he help with the housework?~As little as possible.
little by little = gradually 逐渐地
Her Japanese is improving little by little.
little or no[...]/little or nothing = hardly any(thing) 几乎没有
There is little or no money left for advertising.