Difference between有一点儿 and 一点儿

 (This HSK grammar point is referred from HSK Course, an online hsk learning platform that provides hsk reading lessons, hsk online practice, and more.)

There are two ways to translate “a little” in Chinese: 有一点儿、一点儿. They have similar meanings, but very big difference in use. That’s why they confused many Chinese learners. Now we will see the difference between有一点儿and 一点儿, and their uses.

1、有一点儿yǒuyìdiǎnr

有一点儿 is often followed by an adjective in Chinese. And the whole sentence structure is:

S + 有一点儿 + adjective

jīntiān yǒuyìdiǎnr lěnɡ.

今天 有一点儿 冷。

It’s a little cold today.

 

zhèɡe fàndiàn yǒuyìdiǎnr ɡuì.

这个饭店 有一点儿 贵。

This restaurant is a little expensive.

 

Often, 有一点儿 is shortened to “有点儿”.

 

2、一点儿yìdiǎnr

V + 一点儿+Noun. The structure indicates that the amount is small.   

wǒ mǎile yìdiǎnr kuàicān.   

我 买了 一点儿 快餐。    

I bought some fast food.

 

qǐnɡ ɡěiwǒ yìdiǎnr shíjiān.

请 给我 一点儿 时间。 

Please give me some time.

  

wǒjiā yǒu yìdiǎnr píjiǔ.

 我家 有 一点儿 啤酒。

I have some beer at home.

Note that in the example “我家有一点儿啤酒”, 有一点儿 should be seen as separate parts: 有(V) + 一点儿

 

Adj + 一点儿. This structure is used to show comparison.

E.g.

kéyǐ piányi yìdiǎnr mɑ？

可以 便宜 一点儿 吗？

Can you give it to me a little bit cheaper?

 

nǐmen yǒu dà yìdiǎnr de mɑ？

你们 有 大 一点儿 的吗？

Do you have a bigger one?