Difference between revisions of "Comparing "youdian" and "yidian""
 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{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, all mean pretty much the same thing, "a little" or "a bit," but they have different uses in sentences.
+
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.
  
−
== Used with Nouns ==
+
== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
 +
 +
=== Usage of 有点 ===
  
−
一点 (yīdiǎn) can be placed before a noun to mean "small quantity," like 一点水，一点钱 while 有点 (yǒudiǎn) 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 something. A few examples to help you understand:  
+
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:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*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>
 +
*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>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
=== Usage of 一点 ===
  
−
*你 脸上 <em>有一点</em> <strong>灰</strong> 。<span class="trans">There's a little dirt on your face.</span>
+
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。
−
*你 碗里 还 有 <em>有 一点</em> <strong>饭</strong> ，吃 完 吧 。<span class="trans">There's still a little rice in your bowl. Finish it.</span>
 
  
 +
A few examples:
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
*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>
 +
*<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>
 +
*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>
 +
*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>
  
−
== Used with Adjectives ==
+
== Use 有(一)点 for Describing Quantity ==
−
 
−
有点 (also 有点儿) is placed before an adjective, and it usually expresses something that you don't want. Some examples of adjectives that can be coupled with 有点 are 生气, 伤心, 难过，讨厌, etc.
 
  
−
一点 (also 一点儿) cannot 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, or expressing speaker’s wish or expectation, but with 有点 one can express his own negative feelings.
+
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 ===
+
A few examples to help you understand:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*房间 里 <em>有点</em> <strong>热</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Fángjiān lǐ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>rè</strong>.</span><span class="trans">It is a little hot inside the room.</span>
+
*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>
−
*我 今天 <em>有点</em> <strong>累</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒmen <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>máng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I am a little busy today.</span>
+
*你 碗里 还 <em>有 点</em> <strong>饭</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>
−
*这个 菜 <em>有点</em> <strong>咸</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>xián</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The dish is a little salty.</span>
 
−
*老板 ，<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点儿</em> 吧。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn, <strong>piányi</strong> <em>yīdiǎnr</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">Sir, a little cheaper please. (directed to the owner of a shop)</span>
 
−
*请 说 <strong>慢</strong> <em>一点儿</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng shuō <strong>màn</strong> <em>yīdiǎnr</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please speak a little more slowly.</span>
 
−
*<strong>快</strong> <em>点儿</em>，要 迟到 了。<span class="pinyin"><strong>Kuài</strong> <em>diǎnr</em>, yào chídào le.</span><span class="trans">A bit faster, we will be late.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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== Negative Forms ==
 
== Negative Forms ==
  
−
You can use 不 or 没 after 有点 and before the adjective, however the following adjective should have a positive connotation, like 高兴 (gāoxìng), 舒服 (shūfu), 喜欢(xǐhuan) etc. This makes the overall emotion expressed feel negative still.
+
=== Use 有点 Before Just 不 or 没 ===
  
−
一点 cannot be linked together directly, but can be used in the 一点都(也) 不 / 没 structure to mean "not at all."
+
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.
  
−
=== Examples ===
+
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*我 今天 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 舒服</strong> 。<span class="expl">lit :"a little not comfortable"</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ jīntiān <em>yǒudiǎnr</em> <strong>bù shūfu</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Today I don't feel very good.</span>
+
*孩子们 <em>有点</em> <strong>不</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>
−
*我们 还是 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 明白</strong> 。<span class="expl">lit: "a little not understand"</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒmen háishì <em>yǒudiǎnr</em> <strong>bù míngbai</strong>.</span><span class="trans">We still don't really understand.</span>
+
*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>
−
*孩子们 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 喜欢</strong> 这 个 地方 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi men <em>yǒudiǎnr</em> <strong>bù xǐhuan</strong> zhège dìfang.</span><span class="trans">Kids kind of don't like this place.</span>
+
*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>
−
*这 是 四川 菜 吗？<em>一点儿 都</em> <strong>不 辣</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì Sìchuān cài ma? <em>Yīdiǎnr dōu</em> <strong>bù là</strong>.</span><span class="trans">This is Sichuan food? It is not spicy at all.</span>
+
*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>
−
*这些 钱 你 <em>一点儿 也</em> <strong>没 花</strong> ？<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē qián nǐ <em>yīdiǎnr yě</em> <strong>méi huā</strong>?</span><span class="trans">You didn't spend the money at all?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== Right and Wrong ==
+
=== Use 一点 Before 也不 or 也没 ===
 +
 
 +
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."
 +
 
 +
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
<ul>
+
*这个 菜 <em>一点 也</em> <strong>不</strong> 辣 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yīdiǎn yě</em> <strong>bù</strong> là.</span><span class="trans">This dish is not spicy at all.</span>
−
<li class="o">我 <em>有点</em> <strong>饿</strong> 。<span class="trans">I'm a bit hungry.</span></li>
+
*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>
−
<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
<div class="liju">
+
== Common Mistakes ==
−
<ul>
 
−
<li class="o">老板 <em>有点</em> <strong>生气</strong> 。<span class="trans">The boss is a bit angry.</span></li>
 
−
<li class="x">老板 <em>一点</em> 生气 。<span class="trans">The boss is a little angry.</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
−
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
−
<li class="o">这 件 衣服 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span></li>
+
<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 热 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> rè.</span></li>
−
<li class="x">这 件 衣服 贵 了 <em>有点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This clothing expensive a little.</span></li>
+
<li class="o">今天 <em>有点</em> 热 。<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>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
−
<li class="o">老板，<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点</em> 吧 。<span class="trans">Sir, how about a bit cheaper?</span></li>
+
<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
−
<li class="x">老板，便宜  <em>有点</em> 吧 。<span class="trans">Sir, how about a little cheaper?</span></li>
+
<li class="o">我 <em>有点</em> 饿 。<span class="expl">This is a complaint.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> è.</span><span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== Example Dialog ==
+
== See also ==
−
 
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
−
 
 
−
*A: 这 件 衣服 <em>有点儿</em><strong>贵</strong>啊 。<span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span>
 
−
*B: 是 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点儿</em>，但是 很 好看，我 很 喜欢。<span class="trans">It's a bit expensive, but it looks really good, I like it.</span>
 
−
*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>
 
−
*C: 不好意思 ，不能 还价 ，所以 <em>一点</em> <strong>也 不 能 便宜</strong> 。<span class="trans">I'm sorry, no haggling. It can't be a little bit cheaper. Not even a bit.</span>
 
  
−
</div>
 
−
 
−
== See Also ==
 
−
* [[Expressing "A bit too"]]
 
 
* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
 
* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
−
* [["Not at all"]]
+
* [[Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"]]
 
* [[Expressing "a bit too"]]
 
* [[Expressing "a bit too"]]
  
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=== 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]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词（增订本）|602}}
−
*[[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]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词（增订本）| 633}}
−
*[[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]
+
{{Source|对外汉语教学语法释疑201例|172}}
−
* [[Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼)]] (pp. 43) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001N6R7DI&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001N6R7DI →buy]
+
{{Source|Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼)|43}}
−
* [[Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)]] (pp. 63) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
+
{{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|B1|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}}
+
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{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}}
 
{{Rel char|有点}}
 
{{Rel char|有点}}
−
{{Rel char|一点儿}}
 
 
{{Rel char|一点}}
 
{{Rel char|一点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "A bit too"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "A bit too"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"}}
−
{{Similar|"Not at all"}}
+
{{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 累 。This is a complaint.Jīntiān wǒ yǒudiǎn lèi.I am a little tired today.
  • 这个 菜 有点 咸 。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 慢 一点 。This is a request.Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.Please speak a little more slowly.
  • 快 点，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 点 吧 。This is a request.Lǎobǎn, piányi diǎn ba.Boss [shop owner], a little cheaper, please.
  • 这个 比 那个 重 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 饭 ，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 不 喜欢 我们 的 新 家 。Háizi men yǒudiǎn bù xǐhuan wǒmen de xīn jiā.The children don't really like our new home.
  • 她 有点 不 舒服 。Tā yǒudiǎn bù shūfu.She doesn't feel very well.
  • 我 有点 不 相信 那 个人 。Wǒ yǒudiǎn bù xiāngxìn nàge rén.I don't really believe that guy.
  • 我们 有点 没 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 不 辣 。Zhège cài yīdiǎn yě bù là.This dish is not spicy at all.
  • 作业 你 一点 也 没 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.
  • 我 一点 饿 。Wǒ yīdiǎn è.
  • 我 有点 饿 。This is a complaint.Wǒ yǒudiǎn è.I'm a little hungry.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites


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