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 diǎn er.This pair of jeans seems a little short for me.
• 那个 地方 离 我 家 远 了 一点儿。Nàgè dìfāng lí wǒjiā yuǎn le yīdiǎn er.That place is a little too far away from my house.
• 这 件 衬衫 小 了 点儿 ，我 想 换 一 件。Zhè jiàn chènshān xiǎo le diǎn er, 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 diǎn er.The money he gave in the red envelope seems too little.
• 你 管 得 是 不 是 多 了 点儿 ？Nǐ guǎn dé shì bùshì duō le diǎn er?Don't you care a little too much?
• 现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 晚 了 点儿 ？Xiànzài shuō “duìbùqǐ” shì bùshì wǎn le diǎn er?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 diǎn er, bùguò lǎoshī hěn yōuxiù.Private schools are a little expensive, but their 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 nán péngyou shì bùshì ǎi le diǎn er?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 diǎn er, 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 问题复杂 了 一点儿 。Duì wǔ suì de háizi lái shuō, zhège wèntí fùzá le yīdiǎn er.This question is a bit complicated for a five-year-old kid.

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) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

HSK5