Difference between revisions of "Comparing "youdian" and "yidian""

 
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{{Grammar Box}}
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{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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一点 (yīdiǎn) and 有点 (yǒudiǎn), usually pronounced 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) and 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) in northern China, mean pretty much the same thing on the surface—"a little" or "a bit"—but they have different uses in sentences.
  
有点 yǒudiǎn and 一点儿 yǒu yīdiǎn (有点儿 [yǒudiǎn] and 一点儿 [yǒu yīdiǎner] in Northern dialects) both mean the same thing, "a little" or "a bit", but they have different ways of being used in sentences.
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== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
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=== Usage of 有点 ===
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有点 is placed before an adjective, and while used for descriptions, it also expresses a tone of complaint by the speaker, or some other form of negative impression. It doesn't just mean "a bit," but rather "a bit ''too''" (for the speaker's liking).
  
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A few examples:
  
== Difference 1 ==
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<div class="liju">
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*今天 我 <em>有点</em> <strong>累</strong> 。<span class="expl">This is a complaint.</span><span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>lèi</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I am a little tired today.</span>
有点 (also 有点儿) is placed before an adjective, and it usually expressed something that you don't want. Some examples of adjectives that can be coupled with 有点 are 生气, 伤心, 难过 etc.
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*这个 菜 <em>有点</em> <strong>咸</strong> 。<span class="expl">This is a complaint.</span><span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>xián</strong>.</span><span class="trans">This dish is a bit salty.</span>
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</div>
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=== Usage of 一点 ===
  
一点 (also 一点儿) cannot be placed before an adjective, instead, it is placed after an adjective. The adjectives that can be used are particularly limited. They often express some kind of comparison.  
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一点 can't be placed before an adjective. Instead, it is placed ''after'' adjectives. The adjectives that can be used are particularly limited. 一点 is often used when comparing, requesting, or expressing the speaker’s expectation. In this usage, 一点 can also be shortened to just 点。
  
 +
A few examples:
  
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
有点儿+Adjective/verb
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*请 说 <strong>慢</strong> <em>一点</em> 。<span class="expl">This is a request.</span><span class="pinyin">Qǐng shuō <strong>màn</strong> <em>yīdiǎn</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please speak a little more slowly.</span>
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*<strong>快</strong> <em>点</em>,要 迟到 了。<span class="expl">This is a request.</span><span class="pinyin"><strong>Kuài</strong> <em>diǎn</em>, yào chídào le.</span><span class="trans">Hurry up a bit, we're going to be late.</span>
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*老板 ,<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>点</em> 吧 。<span class="expl">This is a request.</span><span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn, <strong>piányi</strong> <em>diǎn</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">Boss [shop owner], a little cheaper, please.</span>
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*这个 比 那个 <strong>重</strong>  <em>一点</em> 。<span class="expl">This is a comparison.</span><span class="pinyin">Zhège bǐ nàge <strong>zhòng</strong> <em>yīdiǎn</em>.</span><span class="trans">This one is a bit heavier than that one.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
<div class="jiegou">
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== Use 有(一)点 for Describing Quantity ==
Adjective + (了)一点儿
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</div>
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一点 can be placed before a noun to mean "small quantity," like 一点水,一点钱 while 有点 can't be used this way. Note that 有点 is also a shortened form of 有一点, which means "there is a little" of something.
  
=== Examples ===
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A few examples to help you understand:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* <em>有点儿</em> <strong>饿</strong>。<span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span>
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* 老板 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>生气</strong>。<span class="trans">The boss is a little mad.</span>
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*你 脸 上 <em>有 一 点</em> <strong>番茄酱</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ liǎn shàng <em>yǒu yī diǎn</em> <strong>fānqiéjiàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">There's a little ketchup on your face.</span>
* 这 件 衣服 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a little expensive.</span>
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*你 碗里 还 <em>有 点</em> <strong></strong> ,吃 完 吧 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ wǎn lǐ hái <em>yǒu diǎn</em> <strong>fàn</strong>, chī wán ba.</span><span class="trans">There's still a little rice in your bowl. Finish eating it.</span>
* 老板,<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点儿</em> 吧。<span class="trans">Sir, a little cheaper please. (directed to the owner of a shop)</span>
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*请 说得<strong></strong><em>一 点 儿</em>。<span class="trans">Please speak a little more slowly.</span>
 
*他<em>有 点 儿</em><strong>喜 欢</strong>我的 姐姐。<span class="trans">He kind of likes my old sister.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Difference 2 ==
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== Negative Forms ==
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=== Use 有点 Before Just 不 or 没 ===
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After 有点, you can use 不 or 没 before the adjective, however the adjective should have a positive connotation, like 高兴 (gāoxìng), 舒服 (shūfu), 喜欢 (xǐhuan), etc. This makes the overall emotion expressed  negative still.
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Some examples:
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<div class="liju">
  
In this structure, after 有点(or 有点儿) you can add use or 没, however the following adjective should have a positive connotation, like 高兴, 安全, 太好 etc. 一点 (or 一点儿) cannot be linked together directly, but it can be used in the 一点儿也/都不 or 一点儿也/都没 structure.
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*孩子们 <em>有点</em> <strong></strong> 喜欢 我们 的 新 家 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi men <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù</strong> xǐhuan wǒmen de xīn jiā.</span><span class="trans">The children don't really like our new home.</span>
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*她 <em>有点</em> <strong>不</strong> 舒服 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù</strong> shūfu.</span><span class="trans">She doesn't feel very well.</span>
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*我 <em>有点</em> <strong>不</strong> 相信 那 个人 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù</strong> xiāngxìn nàge rén.</span><span class="trans">I don't really believe that guy.</span>
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*我们 <em>有点</em> <strong>没</strong> 听懂 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>méi</strong> tīngdǒng.</span><span class="trans">We didn't really understand what was said.</span>
  
<div class="jiegou">
 
有点儿+ 不/没 + Adjective
 
</div>
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
一点儿+ 也/都+ 不/没 + Adjective
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
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=== Use 一点 Before 也不 or 也没 ===
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一点 can also be used in the [[Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"|一点也不 or 一点也没 structure]] to mean "not at all."
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 +
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我 的 女朋友 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 高兴</strong>。<span class="trans">My girlfriend is a bit unhappy.</span>
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*这个 菜 <em>一点 也</em> <strong>不</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yīdiǎn yě</em> <strong></strong> là.</span><span class="trans">This dish is not spicy at all.</span>
* 这里 <em>有点</em> <strong>不 干净</strong><span class="trans">It's a little dirty here. (not clean here)</span>
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*作业 你 <em>一点 也</em> <strong>没</strong> 做 ?<span class="pinyin">Zuòyè nǐ <em>yīdiǎn yě</em> <strong>méi</strong> zuò?</span><span class="trans">You didn't do any homework at all?</span>
* <em>一点儿</em> <strong> 生气</strong><span class="trans">I am not the least bit angry</span>
 
* 你 看起来 <em>一点儿</em> <strong> 也 不 累</strong><span class="trans">You look like you are not even a bit tired.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
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== Common Mistakes ==
== Examples of right and wrong sentences ==
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o"><em>有点</em> <strong>饿</strong>。</li><span class="trans">I'm a bit hungry.</span>
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<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> .</span></li>
<li class="x"><em>一点</em> 饿。</li>
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<li class="o">今天 <em>有点</em> 。<span class="expl">This is a complaint.</span><span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yǒudiǎn</em> rè.</span><span class="trans">It's a little hot today.</span></li>
<li class="o">老板 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>生气</strong>。</li><span class="trans">The boss is a bit angry.</span>
 
<li class="x">老板 <em>一点儿</em> 生气。</li>
 
<li class="o">这 件 衣服 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点儿</em> 。</li><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span>
 
<li class="x">这 件 衣服 贵 了 <em>有点儿</em> </li>
 
<li class="o">老板,<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点儿</em> 吧。</li><span class="trans">Sir, how about a bit cheaper?</span>
 
<li class="x">老板,便宜  <em>有点儿</em> 吧。</li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
 
== Example dialog ==
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* A: 这件衣服<em>有点儿</em><strong></strong>啊。<span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span>
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<ul>
* B: 是 <strong></strong> <em>一点儿</em>,但是 真 的 很 好看,我 好 喜欢。<span class="trans">It's a bit expensive, but it looks really good, I like it.</span>
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<li class="x"><em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
* A: 服务员,这 件 衣服 能 不 能 <strong>便宜</strong> <em>一点</em>?<span class="trans">Attendant, could we get this a little cheaper?</span>
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<li class="o"><em>有点</em> 饿 。<span class="expl">This is a complaint.</span><span class="pinyin"><em>yǒudiǎn</em> è.</span><span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></li>
* C: 不好意思,这 是 新 品,<em>一点儿</em> <strong>也 不 能 便宜</strong><span class="trans">I'm sorry, this is a new item, it can't even be a little bit cheaper.</span>
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</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[Expressing "A bit too"]]
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* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
 
* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
* [["Not at all"]]
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* [[Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"]]
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* [[Expressing "a bit too"]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 +
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (“一点儿”p. 602) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
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*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (“有点儿”p. 633) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
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{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|602}}
*[[对外汉语教学语法释疑201例]] (p.172) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
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{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)| 633}}
 +
{{Source|对外汉语教学语法释疑201例|172}}
 +
{{Source|Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼)|43}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)|63}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
 +
 
* Chinesegrammar.info: [http://chinesegrammar.info/general/yi-dianr-placement/ Where to place 一点儿 (yī diǎnr) in a sentence]
 
* Chinesegrammar.info: [http://chinesegrammar.info/general/yi-dianr-placement/ Where to place 一点儿 (yī diǎnr) in a sentence]
  
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|有点(儿)|A2|有点(儿) vs 一点(儿)|这 衣服 <em>有点儿</em> 贵 , 便宜 <em>一点儿</em> 吧。|grammar point|ASGV55Y4}}
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{{HSK|HSK3}}
{{Rel char|一点(儿)}}
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{{Basic Grammar|有点儿|B1|有点 vs. 一点|这 衣服 <em>有点</em> 贵 ,便宜 <em>一点</em> 吧。|grammar point|ASGV55Y4}}
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{{Rel char|有点}}
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{{Rel char|一点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "A bit too"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing degree}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing degree}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}

Latest revision as of 07:52, 14 May 2019

一点 (yīdiǎn) and 有点 (yǒudiǎn), usually pronounced 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) and 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) in northern China, mean pretty much the same thing on the surface—"a little" or "a bit"—but they have different uses in sentences.

Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree

Usage of 有点

有点 is placed before an adjective, and while used for descriptions, it also expresses a tone of complaint by the speaker, or some other form of negative impression. It doesn't just mean "a bit," but rather "a bit too" (for the speaker's liking).

A few examples:

  • 今天 我 有点 This is a complaint.Jīntiān wǒ yǒudiǎn lèi.I am a little tired today.
  • 这个 菜 有点 This is a complaint.Zhège cài yǒudiǎn xián.This dish is a bit salty.

Usage of 一点

一点 can't be placed before an adjective. Instead, it is placed after adjectives. The adjectives that can be used are particularly limited. 一点 is often used when comparing, requesting, or expressing the speaker’s expectation. In this usage, 一点 can also be shortened to just 点。

A few examples:

  • 请 说 一点This is a request.Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.Please speak a little more slowly.
  • ,要 迟到 了。This is a request.Kuài diǎn, yào chídào le.Hurry up a bit, we're going to be late.
  • 老板 ,便宜 吧 。This is a request.Lǎobǎn, piányi diǎn ba.Boss [shop owner], a little cheaper, please.
  • 这个 比 那个 一点This is a comparison.Zhège bǐ nàge zhòng yīdiǎn.This one is a bit heavier than that one.

Use 有(一)点 for Describing Quantity

一点 can be placed before a noun to mean "small quantity," like 一点水,一点钱 while 有点 can't be used this way. Note that 有点 is also a shortened form of 有一点, which means "there is a little" of something.

A few examples to help you understand:

  • 你 脸 上 有 一 点 番茄酱Nǐ liǎn shàng yǒu yī diǎn fānqiéjiàng.There's a little ketchup on your face.
  • 你 碗里 还 有 点 ,吃 完 吧 。Nǐ wǎn lǐ hái yǒu diǎn fàn, chī wán ba.There's still a little rice in your bowl. Finish eating it.

Negative Forms

Use 有点 Before Just 不 or 没

After 有点, you can use 不 or 没 before the adjective, however the adjective should have a positive connotation, like 高兴 (gāoxìng), 舒服 (shūfu), 喜欢 (xǐhuan), etc. This makes the overall emotion expressed negative still.

Some examples:

  • 孩子们 有点 喜欢 我们 的 新 家 。Háizi men yǒudiǎn xǐhuan wǒmen de xīn jiā.The children don't really like our new home.
  • 有点 舒服 。yǒudiǎn shūfu.She doesn't feel very well.
  • 有点 相信 那 个人 。yǒudiǎn xiāngxìn nàge rén.I don't really believe that guy.
  • 我们 有点 听懂 。Wǒmen yǒudiǎn méi tīngdǒng.We didn't really understand what was said.

Use 一点 Before 也不 or 也没

一点 can also be used in the 一点也不 or 一点也没 structure to mean "not at all."

Some examples:

  • 这个 菜 一点 也 辣 。Zhège cài yīdiǎn yě là.This dish is not spicy at all.
  • 作业 你 一点 也 做 ?Zuòyè nǐ yīdiǎn yě méi zuò?You didn't do any homework at all?

Common Mistakes

  • 今天 一点 热 。Jīntiān yīdiǎn rè.
  • 今天 有点 热 。This is a complaint.Jīntiān yǒudiǎn rè.It's a little hot today.
  • 一点 饿 。yīdiǎn è.
  • 有点 饿 。This is a complaint.yǒudiǎn è.I'm a little hungry.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites