Phrase
a little while
noun
一会儿；短时间
a short period of time
一会儿；短时间
In use
Please wait here for a little while; I'll be right back.
After a little while, the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Can you lend me your pen for a little while? I need to jot down a note.
for a little while
表示持续时间。
She stayed for a little while.
她待了一小会儿。
in a little while
表示将来不久。
He will be here in a little while.
他一会儿就到。
after a little while
表示过去一段时间之后。
After a little while, he fell asleep.
过了一会儿，他睡着了。
verb + a little while
动词后直接跟a little while，省略介词for。
Wait a little while, please.
请稍等一会儿。
Common mistakes
I will finish the work for a little while.I will finish the work in a little while.
“for a little while”表示持续一段时间，但“finish”是瞬间动词，不能与表示持续的时间状语连用；应用“in a little while”表示“一会儿之后”。
I'll be back in little while.I'll be back in a little while.
“a little while”是固定短语，冠词“a”不可省略，漏掉后不符合英语表达习惯。
Connections
Confusing words
- a while
- 一会儿 · a little while 强调时间很短，a while 可长可短
Word family
- while
- 一会儿 · n.
- whilst
- 当...时候 · conj.
- meanwhile
- 与此同时 · adv.
- worthwhile
- 值得的 · adj.
Learner notes
Grammar Note
固定短语，作名词使用，指较短的一段时间；常作时间状语。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT.