(a) few + 可数名词, (a) little + 不可数名词
a few / a little 为肯定含义，还有一点
few / little　为否定含义，没有多少了。
He has a few friends.　　　他有几个朋友。
He has few friends.　　　 他几乎没有朋友。
We still have a little time. 我们还有点时间。
There is little time left.几乎没剩下什么时间了。
典型例题:
Although he 's wealthy，he spends___ on clothes.
A. little　 B. few　C. a little　 D. a few
答案： A. spend所指的是钱，不可数，只能用little或 a little. 本句为although引导的让步状语从句，由句意知后句为否定含义，因此应用little表示几乎不。
固定搭配:
only a few (=few)　 not a few (=many)　 quite a few (=many)
many a (=many)
Many books were sold.
Many a book was sold.
卖出了许多书。