One is for things you can count, the other is for things you cannot count.
Adjective. Used with plural countable nouns to indicate a small number. Equivalent to 'not many'.
I have a few friends in this city.
Tengo algunos amigos en esta ciudad.
Only a few students passed the exam.
Solo algunos estudiantes aprobaron el examen.
She speaks few languages fluently.
Ella habla pocos idiomas con fluidez.
Adjective. Used with uncountable nouns to indicate a small amount. Equivalent to 'not much'.
There is very little time left.
Queda muy poco tiempo.
She put a little sugar in her coffee.
Ella le puso un poco de azúcar a su café.
He has little patience for excuses.
Él tiene poca paciencia para las excusas.
Common mistake
Using 'few' with uncountable nouns or 'little' with countable nouns. Wrong: "There is few milk." (correct: little milk) or "I have little friends." (correct: few friends)
Trick to remember it
Can you count the items one by one (books, friends, coins)? Use 'few'. Cannot count them individually (time, water, money, milk)? Use 'little'.
Quick rule
Is the noun plural? Use 'few' (few books). Is the noun uncountable and singular? Use 'little' (little time).
Did you know?
'A few' and 'a little' are positive ('some'), while 'few' and 'little' without the article are negative or pessimistic. 'I have a few friends' = some friends, good. 'I have few friends' = not many, implying loneliness.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
There is very _____ water left in the bottle.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Only a _____ people came to the event.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is the noun plural? Use 'few' (few books). Is the noun uncountable and singular? Use 'little' (little time).
Using 'few' with uncountable nouns or 'little' with countable nouns. Wrong: "There is few milk." (correct: little milk) or "I have little friends." (correct: few friends)
Can you count the items one by one (books, friends, coins)? Use 'few'. Cannot count them individually (time, water, money, milk)? Use 'little'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy