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.
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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.
  
 
== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
 
== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
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=== Usage of 有点 ===
 
=== Usage of 有点 ===
  
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有点 is placed before an adjective, and it usually expresses a complaint by the speaker, or some other form of negative impression. Its doesn't just mean "a bit," but rather "a bit ''too''" (for my liking).
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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. Its doesn't just mean "a bit," but rather "a bit ''too''" (for the speaker's liking).
  
 
A few examples:
 
A few examples:
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=== Usage of 一点 ===
 
=== Usage of 一点 ===
  
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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, or expressing the speaker’s wish or expectation. In this usage, 一点 can also be shortened to just 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:
 
A few examples:
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== 有(一)点 Used for Describing Quantity ==
 
== 有(一)点 Used for Describing Quantity ==
  
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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 something.  
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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:  
 
A few examples to help you understand:  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
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*你 脸 上 <em>有 一 点</em> <strong>灰</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ Liǎn shàng <em>yǒu yī diǎn</em> <strong>huī</strong>.</span><span class="trans">There's a little dirt on your face.</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>
 
*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>
 
*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>
  
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== Negative Forms ==
 
== Negative Forms ==
  
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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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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:
 
Some examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
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*孩子们 <em>有点</em> <strong>不</strong> 喜欢 我们 的 新 家 。<span class="pinyin">Háizimen <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>bù</strong> xǐhuan wǒmen de xīn jiā.</span><span class="trans">Our children don't really like our new home.</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">Háizimen <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>
 
*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>
 
*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>
 
*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 <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 much.</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>
 
</div>
  
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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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一点 can also be used in the 一点也不 or 一点也没 structure to mean "[[not at all]]."
  
 
A few examples:
 
A few examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
*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>
 
*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>
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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 your homework at all?</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>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<ul>
 
<ul>
 
<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 热 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> rè.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 热 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> rè.</span></li>
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<li class="o">今天 <em>有点</em> 热 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yǒudiǎn</em> rè.</span><span class="trans">It's a little hot today.</span></li>
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<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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<ul>
 
<ul>
 
<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
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<li class="o">我 <em>有点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> è.</span><span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</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">Wǒ <em>yǒudiǎn</em> è.</span><span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
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</div>
 
−
 
−
== Example Dialog ==
 
−
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
−
 
−
<ul class="dialog">
 
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<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 件 衣服 <em>有点</em> <strong>贵</strong> 啊 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu <em>yǒudiǎn</em> <strong>guì</strong> a.</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span></li>
 
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<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>是 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点</em> ，但是 很 好看 ，我 很 喜欢 。<span class="pinyin">Shì <strong>guì</strong> le <em>yīdiǎn</em>, dànshì hěn hǎokàn, wǒ hěn xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">It's a bit expensive, but it looks really good and I like it.</span></li>
 
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<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 件 衣服 能 不 能 <strong>便宜</strong> <em>一点</em> ？<span class="pinyin"> Zhè jiàn yīfu néng bù néng <strong>piányi</strong> <em>yīdiǎn</em>?</span><span class="trans">Could we get this a little cheaper?</span></li>
 
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<li><span class="speaker">C:</span> 不 好意思 ，不能 还价 ，<em>一点 也 不</em> 能 <strong>便宜</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Bù hǎoyìsi, bù néng huánjià, <em>yīdiǎn yě bù</em> néng <strong>piányi</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I'm sorry, no haggling. It can't be a little bit cheaper. Not even a bit.</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
−
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  

Revision as of 08:35, 12 November 2018

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. Its 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 。Jīntiān wǒ yǒudiǎn lèi.I am a little tired today.
  • 这个 菜 有点 咸 。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 。Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.Please speak a little more slowly.
  • 快 点，要 迟到 了。Kuài diǎn, yào chídào le.Hurry up a bit, we're going to be late.
  • 老板 ，便宜 点 吧 。Lǎobǎn, piányi diǎn ba.Boss [shop owner], a little cheaper, please.

有(一)点 Used 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

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 。Háizimen 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.

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

A few 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?

Right and Wrong

  • 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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