‘有点儿’ (yǒudiǎnr) versus ‘一点儿’ (yìdiǎnr)
The Chinese language level of HSK2 is generally simple. Nevertheless, there are several Mandarin language points that learners often get wrong. A common of them is the similarities and differences between ‘有点儿’ (yǒudiǎnr) versus ‘一点儿’ (yìdiǎnr)
Liu Ali showing the differences
The two phrases are similar because both mean ‘a few’, ‘a little’, ‘no more’ or ‘less’. But the differences are more complicated. We can look at 有点儿 yǒudiǎnr versus 一点儿 yìdiǎnr from the structural and emotional point of view.
Let’s see the example of Liu Aili going to buy clothes:
- 这件衣服有点儿大，请帮我换一件小一点的。
- Zhè jiàn yīfu yǒudiǎnr dà, qǐng bāng wǒ huàn yí jiàn xiǎo yìdiǎnr de.
- This dress is a bit big, please change me to a little bit smaller one.
| 有点儿yǒudiǎnr | 一点儿yìdiǎnr | |
| 结构 structure | yǒudiǎnr 有点儿 + adjective or mental verb | yìdiǎnr adjective + 一点儿 yìdiǎnr 一点儿 + noun |
| 例句 example | Zhèxiē píngguǒ yǒudiǎnr duō. 这些苹果有点儿多。 (There are a lot of these apples.) Zhège shāngdiàn de dōngxī yǒudiǎnr guì. 这个商店的东西有点儿贵。 (The things in this shop are a bit expensive.) Wáng xiǎomài yǒudiǎnr bù gāoxìng. 王小麦有点儿不高兴。 （Wang Maimai is a little unhappy.） Tīng dào zhè jiàn shìqíng, tā yǒudiǎnr nánguò. 听到这件事情，他有点儿难过。 (He was a little sad to hear this.) | Zhè jiàn bǐ nà jiàn guì yìdiǎnr. 这件比那件贵一点儿。 (This one is a bit more expensive than that one.) Zhège shǒubiǎo piàoliang yìdiǎnr. 这个手表漂亮一点儿。 (This watch is a little more beautiful.) Nǐ kěyǐ hē yìdiǎnr kāfēi/shuǐ. 你可以喝一点儿咖啡/水。 (You can drink a little coffee/water.) Māmā mǎile yìdiǎnr cài. 妈妈买了一点儿菜。 (Mother bought some vegetables.) |
| 情感 feeling | 不满意 Unsatisfactory | not used for this |
| 例句 example | Zhège fángjiān yǒudiǎn er xiǎo. Wǒmen zài kàn kàn bié de fángzi. 这个房间有点儿小。我们再看看别的房子。 (This room is a bit small. Let's look at other houses.) Zhè jiàn máoyī yǒudiǎn guì. Piányí yīdiǎn er ba. 这件毛衣有点贵。便宜一点儿吧。 (This sweater is a bit expensive. Cheaper please.) | not used for this |
In summary, not only is the structure is different, but so is the emotion. We hope that clarifies how to use these two simple yet difficult words. If you still don’t get it right, don’t worry too much about it – it’ll become more natural as you progress through the HSK levels.
