Expressing "a bit too"

了一点儿(le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean "a little bit too". It softer in tone than Expressing 太, and so is often used when the speaker doesn't want to insult the listener by speaking too directly.

Structure

Adjective + 了（一）点儿

Examples

• 这 把 椅子 稍微 硬 了 点儿，我 坐 得 有点 难受。
• 这 道 菜 稍微 咸 了 点儿，可以 重新 炒 吗？
• 我 妈妈 说 你 钱 挣 得 少 了 点儿，人 长 得 矮 了 点儿。她 觉得 我 需要 找 一 个 好 点儿 的 男 朋友。

As in the first two examples, 稍微 is often added before the adjective to further soften the tone.

See also

• Expressing "much more" in comparisons
• Expressing "excessively" with tai

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5