Difference between 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) vs. 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr)

by | Apr 19, 2021 | Chinese Grammar

You might be already familiar with the adverbs 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) and 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr). Both of them mean “a little bit”.

But what’s the difference? 🤔

1. 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) comes AFTER adjectives

一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) means ” a bit (more)”, and comes AFTER adjectives in the structure [adj. + 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr)].

For example:

◾️ 慢一点儿
◾️ Màn yīdiǎnr
◾️ A bit slower

一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) is used to say that something has changed, or if you want some change to happen.

For example:

◾️ 可以快一点儿吗?
◾️ Kěyǐ kuài yīdiǎnr ma?
◾️ Can we go a little bit faster?

You can add a noun after 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr), in the structure [一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) + n.]

For example:

◾️ 我要买一点儿水果
◾️ Wǒ yào mǎi yīdiǎnr shuǐguǒ
◾️ I want to buy some fruit

◾️ 我想加一点儿糖和牛奶
◾️ Wǒ xiǎng jiā yīdiǎnr táng hé niúnǎi
◾️ I want to add some sugar and milk

2. 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) comes BEFORE adjectives

有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) comes before adjectives in the structure [有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) + adj].

For example:

◾️ 有点儿
◾️ Yǒudiǎnr pàng
◾️ A little bit stout

有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) is used to say that something is bad, or you’re not happy with it.

For example:

◾️ 今天有点儿
◾️ Jīntiān yǒudiǎnr
◾️ Today is a little bit hot

💡 Exercises

Choose the right spot for 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) and 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) in the sentences below:

1. 衣服___贵___,可以___便宜___吗?

2. 咖啡___苦___,我想要___糖___。

3. 我___不舒服___,师傅,___慢___。

4. 天气___凉快___了,但是还是___热___。

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