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

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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.
  
== 一点 Used with Nouns ==
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== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
 +
 +
=== Usage of 有点 ===
  
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 something.  
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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).
  
A few examples to help you understand:  
+
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="pinyin">Nǐ  <em>yǒu yīdiǎn</em> <strong>huī</strong>.</span><span class="trans">There's a little dirt on your face.</span>
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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。
*你 碗里 还 <em>有 一点</em> <strong>饭</strong> ,吃 完 吧 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ wǎn lǐ hái <em>yǒu yīdiǎn</em> <strong>fàn</strong>, chī wán ba.</span><span class="trans">There's still a little rice in your bowl. Finish eating 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 ==
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== Use 有(一)点 for Describing Quantity ==
 
有点 is placed before an adjective, and it usually expresses something that the speaker doesn't want or his own negative feelings about something.
 
  
=== Examples ===
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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.
 +
 
 +
A few examples to help you understand:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 今天 <em>有点</em> <strong>累</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒmen <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="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>xián</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The dish is a little salty.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
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, or expressing speaker’s wish or expectation.
+
*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>
 +
*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>
  
<div class="liju">
 
*老板 ,<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点</em> 吧。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn, <strong>piányi</strong> <em>yīdiǎn</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</em> 。<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="pinyin"><strong>Kuài</strong> <em>diǎn</em>, yào chídào le.</span><span class="trans">A bit faster, we will be late.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== 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.
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=== 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.
  
=== Examples ===
+
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*我 今天 <em>有点</em> <strong>不 舒服</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ jīntiān <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù shūfu</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Today I don't feel very good.</span>
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*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 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 喜欢</strong> 这个 地方 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù xǐhuan</strong> zhège dìfang.</span><span class="trans">I don't like this place much.</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>
 +
*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>
 
</div>
  
一点 cannot be linked together directly, but can be used in the 一点也不 or 一点也没 structure to mean "[[not at all]]."
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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."
 +
 
 +
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*这个 菜 <em>一点 也 </em> <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yīdiǎn yě </em> <strong></strong>.</span><span class="trans">This dish is not spicy at all.</span>
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*这个 菜 <em>一点 也</em> <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yīdiǎn yě</em> <strong></strong> .</span><span class="trans">This dish is not spicy at all.</span>
*这些 钱 你 <em>一点 也 </em> <strong></strong> ?<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē qián nǐ <em>yīdiǎn yě méi</em> <strong>huā</strong>?</span><span class="trans">You didn't spend the money at all?</span>
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*作业 你 <em>一点 也</em> <strong></strong> ?<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>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Right and Wrong ==
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== Common Mistakes ==
 
 
下面这两个例子代表的是二者最常见的使用偏误。
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o"><em>有点</em> <strong>饿</strong> 。<span class="trans">I'm a bit hungry.</span></li>
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<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> rè.</span></li>
<li class="x"><em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></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>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<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>
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<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin"><em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
<li class="x">老板 <em>一点</em> 生气 。<span class="trans">The boss is a little angry.</span></li>
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<li class="o">我 <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>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
</div>
 
 
== Example Dialog ==
 
 
<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>
 
</div>
  
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[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
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{{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}}
 
{{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}}

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