Expressing "a bit too"

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

Structure

In this structure, the overall effect of the pattern depends on the preceding adjective. If the adjective in the structure has a negative meaning, then it is used to show the speaker’s dissatisfaction (a sort of complaint). If the adjective in the structure has a positive meaning, then it usually reflects a change.

Adj. + 了（一）点儿

Examples

• 这 条 牛仔裤 好像 短 了 点儿。Zhè tiáo niúzǎikù hǎoxiàng duǎn le diǎnr.This pair of jeans seems a little short for me.
• 那个 地方 离 我 家 远 了 一点儿。Nàge dìfang lí wǒ jiā yuǎn le yīdiǎnr.That place is a little too far from my home.
• 这 件 衬衫 小 了 点儿 ，我 想 换 一 件。Zhè jiàn chènshān xiǎo le diǎnr, wǒ xiǎng huàn yī jiàn.This shirt is a little small. I want to exchange it for another one.
• 他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 少 了 点儿 。Tā gěi de zhège hóngbāo hǎoxiàng shǎo le diǎnr.The amount of money he gave in the red envelope seems a bit small.
• 你 管 得 是 不 是 多 了 点儿 ？Nǐ guǎn de shì bu shì duō le diǎnr?Don't you think you're getting a little too involved?
• 现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 晚 了 点儿 ？Xiànzài shuō “duìbùqǐ” shì bu shì wǎn le diǎnr?Isn't it a little too late to say sorry now?
• 私立 学校 是 贵 了 点儿 ，不过 老师 很 优秀 。Sīlì xuéxiào shì guì le diǎnr, bùguò lǎoshī hěn yōuxiù.Private schools are a little expensive, but the teachers are excellent.
• 你 这么 高 ，你 这个 男朋友 是 不 是 矮 了 点儿 ？Nǐ zhème gāo, nǐ zhège nánpéngyou shì bu shì ǎi le diǎnr?You are so tall. Isn't your boyfriend a little short for you?
• 这 道 菜 咸 了 点儿 ，可以 换 一 盘 吗？Zhè dào cài xián le diǎnr, kěyǐ huàn yī pán ma?This dish is a little too salty, could you make another one?
• 对 五 岁 的 孩子 来说 ，这 个 问题 稍微 复杂 了 一点儿 。Duì wǔ suì de háizi lái shuō, zhège wèntí shāowēi fùzá le yīdiǎnr.This question is just a bit complicated for a five-year-old child.

稍微 (shāowēi) can also be 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

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 6- 8) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

HSK5