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

Adj. + 了（一）点儿

Examples

• 这 条 裙子 小 了 点儿，我 想 换 一 件。This dress is a little small. I need another one.
• 他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 少 了 点儿 。The money he gave in the red packet seems too little.
• 你 管 得 是 不 是 多 了 点儿 ？Don't you care too much?.
• 私立 学校 是 贵 了 点儿 ，不过 老师 很 优秀 。Private schools are a little expensive, but their teachers are extraordinary.
• 这 道 菜 咸 了 点儿，可以 换 一 盘 吗？This dish is a little too salty, could you have another one again?

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