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.
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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.
  
== Different sentence positions==
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== Both Can Be Used for Describing Degree  ==
 
   
 
   
有点 (also 有点儿) is placed after a subject but before an adjective, and it usually expresses something that you don't want. Some examples of adjectives that can be coupled with 有点 are 生气, 伤心, 难过,讨厌, etc.
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=== Usage of 有点 ===
  
=== 有点儿 comes before an adjective===
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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).
  
<div class="jiegou">
+
A few examples:
 
 
有点儿 + Adj.
 
  
 +
<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>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
=== Usage of 一点 ===
  
<div class="liju">
+
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。
  
* 我 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>饿</strong>。<span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span>
+
A few examples:
* 昨天 <em>有点儿</em>  <strong>热</strong>。<span class="trans">Yesterday it was a little hot.</span>
 
* 今天 我们 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>忙</strong>。<span class="trans">Today we are little busy.</span>
 
* 老板 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>生气</strong>。<span class="trans">The boss is a little mad.</span>
 
* 我 觉得 这 个 人 <em>有点儿</em>  <strong>笨</strong>。<span class="trans">I think this person is a little stupid.</span>
 
  
 +
<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>
  
=== 一点儿 comes after an adjective===
+
== Use 有(一)点 for Describing Quantity ==
  
<div class="jiegou">
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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.
Adj. + 一点儿
 
</div>
 
  
一点 (also 一点儿) cannot be placed before an adjective. Instead, it is placed ''after'' adjectives. The adjectives that can be used are particularly limited. They often express some kind of comparisons or requests.
+
A few examples to help you understand:
 
 
=== Examples ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 老板,<strong>便宜</strong> <em>一点儿</em> 吧。<span class="trans">Sir, a little cheaper please. (directed to the owner of a shop)</span>
+
*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>
* 请 说 得 <strong></strong> <em>一 点 儿</em><span class="trans">Please speak a little more slowly.</span>
+
*你 碗里 还 <em>点</em> <strong></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>
* <strong>快</strong> <em></em>,要 迟到 了。<span class="trans">A bit faster, we will be late.</span>
 
* 今天 的 课 会<strong></strong> <em>一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">Today's lesson is a bit difficult.</span>
 
*  打车 回家<strong>方便</strong> <em>一点儿</em><span class="trans">Taking a taxi back home is a bit more convenient.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 一点儿 comes after an adjective with 了===
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== Negative Forms ==
  
<div class="jiegou">
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=== Use 有点 Before Just 不 or 没 ===
Adj. + 了 + 一点儿
 
</div>
 
  
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.
+
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">
* 这 件 衣服 <strong>贵</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="expl">Expresses that the speaker is not satisfied with the cost of the clothing</span><span class="trans">This clothing is a little too expensive.</span>
 
* 这 个 房子 <strong>旧</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">The house is a little too old.</span>
 
* 吃 了 药 以后 ,他 <strong>好</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">After taking medicine, he felt a little better.</span>
 
* 我 觉得 妈妈 这 两 年 <strong>老</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">I think mom is a little old these two years.</span>
 
* 对 孩子 来说,这 个 问题<strong>难</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">This question is a bit difficult for kids.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
== Negative forms are different ==
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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>
 +
*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>
  
In this structure, after 有点 (or 有点儿) and before the adjective, you can use 不 or 没, however the following adjective should have a positive connotation, like 高兴 (gāoxìng), 安全 (ānquán), 太好 (tài hǎo), etc. This makes the overall emotion expressed feel negative still.
+
</div>
  
=== Negative 有点儿 ===
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=== Use 一点 Before 也不 or 也没 ===
  
<div class="jiegou">
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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."
有点儿 + 不 / 没 + Adj. / Verb
 
</div>
 
  
=== Examples ===
+
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*这个 菜 <em>一点 也</em> <strong>不</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège cài <em>yīdiǎn yě</em> <strong></strong> là.</span><span class="trans">This dish is not spicy at all.</span>
* 老板 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 高兴</strong>。<span class="trans">The boss is a little unhappy.</span>
+
*作业 你 <em>一点 也</em> <strong></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>
* 我 今天 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 舒服</strong><span class="trans">Today I don't feel very good (Lit: a little not comfortable).</span>
 
* 他 还是 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 明白</strong><span class="expl">lit: "a little not understand"</span><span class="trans">He still doesn't really understand.</span>
 
* 孩子 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 喜欢</strong> 这 个 地方。<span class="trans">Kids kind of don't like this place.</span>
 
* 我们 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>不 相信</strong> 他。<span class="trans">We kind of don't trust him.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
一点 (or 一点儿) cannot be linked together directly, but can be used in the 一点也不 / 一点都不 or 一点也没 / 一点都没 structures to mean "[[not at all]]."
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== Common Mistakes ==
 
 
=== Negative 一点儿 ===
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
一点儿 + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Adj. / Verb
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Examples ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
<ul>
* 那 个 女孩 <em>一点儿 都</em> <strong>不 好看</strong>。<span class="trans">That girl is not pretty at all.</span>
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<li class="x">今天 <em>一点</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>yīdiǎn</em> rè.</span></li>
* 我们 <em>一点儿 也 </em> <strong>不 累</strong><span class="trans">We are not even a bit tired.</span>
+
<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>
* 这 是 四川 菜 吗?<em>一点儿 都</em> <strong>不 辣</strong>。<span class="trans">This is Sichuan food? It is not spicy at all.</span>
+
</ul>
* 这些 菜 你 <em>一点儿 也</em> <strong>没 吃</strong><span class="trans">You didn't eat these food at all.</span>
 
* 你们 <em>一点儿 都</em> <strong>不 想</strong> 去 吗?<span class="trans">Don you not want to go at all? </span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
== Examples of right and wrong sentences ==
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o">我 <em>有点</em> <strong>饿</strong>。<span class="trans">I'm a bit hungry.</span></li>
+
<li class="x">我 <em>一点</em> 饿 。<span class="pinyin"><em>yīdiǎn</em> è.</span></li>
<li class="x"><em>一点</em> 饿。<span class="trans">I'm a little hungry.</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><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>
<li class="o">老板 <em>有点儿</em> <strong>生气</strong>。<span class="trans">The boss is a bit angry.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">老板 <em>一点儿</em> 生气。<span class="trans">Boss is a little angry.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">这 件 衣服 <strong>贵</strong> 了 <em>一点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">这 件 衣服 贵 了 <em>有点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This clothing expensive a little.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">老板,<strong>便宜</strong>  <em>一点儿</em> 吧。<span class="trans">Sir, how about a bit cheaper?</span></li>
 
<li class="x">老板,便宜  <em>有点儿</em> 吧。<span class="trans">Sir, how about a little cheaper?</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Example dialog ==
+
== See also ==
  
<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 真 的 很 好看,我 好 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,这 是 新 的,<em>一点儿</em> <strong>也 不 能 便宜</strong>。<span class="trans">I'm sorry, this is a new item, it can't even be a little bit cheaper.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
== See Also ==
 
* [[Expressing "A bit too"]]
 
 
* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
 
* [[Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"]]
* [["Not at all"]]
+
* [[Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"]]
 +
* [[Expressing "a bit too"]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 +
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (“一点儿”p. 602) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
 
*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (“有点儿”p. 633) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|602}}
*[[对外汉语教学语法释疑201例]] (p.172) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)| 633}}
 +
{{Source|对外汉语教学语法释疑201例|172}}
 +
{{Source|Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼)|43}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)|63}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
 +
 
* Chinesegrammar.info: [http://chinesegrammar.info/general/yi-dianr-placement/ Where to place 一点儿 (yī diǎnr) in a sentence]
 
* Chinesegrammar.info: [http://chinesegrammar.info/general/yi-dianr-placement/ Where to place 一点儿 (yī diǎnr) in a sentence]
  
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|有点儿|B1|有点(儿) vs 一点(儿)|这 衣服 <em>有点儿</em> 贵 , 便宜 <em>一点儿</em> 吧。|grammar point|ASGV55Y4}}
+
{{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}}
 
{{Rel char|有点}}
 
{{Rel char|有点}}
{{Rel char|一点儿}}
 
 
{{Rel char|一点}}
 
{{Rel char|一点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
 
{{Rel char|点}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "A bit too"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "A bit too"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"}}
{{Similar|"Not at all"}}
+
{{Similar|Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu"}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing degree}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing degree}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}

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