Expressing "a bit too"

了一点儿(le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean "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 speaking too directly.

Structure

Adjective + 了（一）点儿

Examples

• 这 把 椅子 稍微 硬 了 点儿，我 坐 得 有点 难受。This chair is a little too hard. I'm having a hard time sitting in it.
• 这 道 菜 稍微 咸 了 点儿，可以 重新 炒 吗？This food is a little too salty, could you make it again?
• 我 妈妈 说 你 钱 挣 得 少 了 点儿，人 长 得 矮 了 点儿。她 觉得 我 需要 找 一 个 好 点儿 的 男 朋友。My mother says you earn too little money, and you're a little too short. She thinks I need to find a boyfriend who's a little better.

As in the first two examples, 稍微 is often 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) →buy

HSK5