Difference between revisions of "Expressing "a bit too""

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*那个 地方 离 我 家 <strong>远</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">That place is a little too far away from my place.</span>
 
*那个 地方 离 我 家 <strong>远</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">That place is a little too far away from my place.</span>
 
*这 件 衬衫 <strong>小</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ,我 想 换 一 件。<span class="trans">This shirt is a little small. I need another one.</span>
 
*这 件 衬衫 <strong>小</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ,我 想 换 一 件。<span class="trans">This shirt is a little small. I need another one.</span>
*他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 <strong>少</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">The money he gave in the red packet seems too little.</span>
+
*他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 <strong>少</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">The money he gave in the red envelope seems too little.</span>
 
*你 管 得 是 不 是 <strong>多</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ?<span class="trans">Don't you care too much?</span>
 
*你 管 得 是 不 是 <strong>多</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ?<span class="trans">Don't you care too much?</span>
 
*现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 <strong>晚</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ?<span class="trans">Isn't it a little too late to say sorry just now?</span>
 
*现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 <strong>晚</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ?<span class="trans">Isn't it a little too late to say sorry just now?</span>

Revision as of 03:44, 21 November 2017

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

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 了 点儿This jeans seems a little short for me.
  • 那个 地方 离 我 家 了 一点儿That place is a little too far away from my place.
  • 这 件 衬衫 了 点儿 ,我 想 换 一 件。This shirt is a little small. I need another one.
  • 他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 了 点儿The money he gave in the red envelope seems too little.
  • 你 管 得 是 不 是 了 点儿Don't you care too much?
  • 现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 了 点儿Isn't it a little too late to say sorry just now?
  • 私立 学校 是 了 点儿 ,不过 老师 很 优秀 。Private schools are a little expensive, but their teachers are excellent.
  • 你 这么 高 ,你 这个 男朋友 是 不 是 了 点儿You are so tall. Isn't your boyfriend a little short for you?
  • 这 道 菜 了 点儿 ,可以 换 一 盘 吗?This dish is a little too salty, could you have another one again?
  • 对 五 岁 的 孩子 来说 ,这 个 问题复杂 了 一点儿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

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5