一点儿
HSK 2- Measure words
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used after an adjective/verb to indicate a small degree, or to soften a request/remark.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
一点儿 (or 一点) means "a little" or "a bit." It follows an adjective in comparative constructions (meaning "a little more/less...") or follows a verb to indicate an action performed to a mild degree.
Don't confuse it with 有点儿! 有点儿 comes before an adjective and often carries a sense of complaint (有点儿贵 – a bit expensive). 一点儿, on the other hand, comes after an adjective and is typically used in comparisons or requests (便宜一点儿 – a little cheaper).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 请说慢一点儿。繁: 請說慢一點兒。Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎnr.
Please speak a bit more slowly.
- 可以便宜一点儿吗？繁: 可以便宜一點兒嗎？Kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎnr ma?
Can you make it a bit cheaper?
- 我想喝一点儿水。繁: 我想喝一點兒水。Wǒ xiǎng hē yìdiǎnr shuǐ.
I would like to drink some water.
- 你吃一点儿米饭吧。繁: 你吃一點兒米飯吧。Nǐ chī yìdiǎnr mǐfàn ba.
You eat a little rice.
- 今天比昨天好一点儿。繁: 今天比昨天好一點兒。Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān hǎo yìdiǎnr.
Today is a bit better than yesterday.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我一点儿累。Correct:我有点儿累。
When an adjective describes an undesirable state of oneself, use `有点儿` before it, not `一点儿`.
- Wrong:可以一点儿便宜吗？Correct:可以便宜一点儿吗？
In imperative or comparative sentences, 一点儿 must follow the adjective to indicate a degree of "a bit more."