Sometimes we may want to say something is "not even the least bit [adjective]." For example, we might say in English: "I am not at all hungry." In Chinese, we can use 一点也不 (yīdiǎnr yě bù) or 一点都不 (yīdiǎnr dōu bù) to express "not at all [adjective]."

Used with Adjectives

The phrases "一点也不" (or 一点儿也不) and "一点都不" (or 一点儿都不) can both be used to express "not at all."

Structure

Examples

那个问题 一点也不 难。Nàge wèntí yīdiǎn yě bù nán.That question isn't difficult at all.
你 一点也不 胖。Nǐ yīdiǎn yě bù pàng.You're not even a little bit fat.
这个菜 一点都不 好吃。Zhège cài yīdiǎn dōu bù hǎochī.This dish isn't tasty at all.
我同事 一点都不 幽默。Wǒ tóngshì yīdiǎn dōu bù yōumò.My colleague is not humorous at all.
这个笑话 一点也不 好笑。Zhège xiàohuà yīdiǎn yě bù hǎoxiào.This joke isn't funny at all.

Used with Verbs

This describes the Subj. as being "not at all adjective" or "not even slightly adjective." Psychological verbs can also appear in place of the adjective in this structure.

Structure

Examples

我 一点也不 喜欢奶酪。Wǒ yīdiǎn yě bù xǐhuan nǎilào.I don't like cheese even a little bit.
你 一点也不 会说吗？Nǐ yīdiǎn yě bù huì shuō ma?You can't even speak a little?
她 一点都不 知道这件事。Tā yīdiǎn dōu bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.She doesn't know even a little about this.
我男朋友 一点都不 懂我。Wǒ nánpéngyou yīdiǎn dōu bù dǒng wǒ.My boyfriend doesn't understand me at all.
她出国以后 一点也不 想家。Tā chūguó yǐhòu yīdiǎn yě bù xiǎngjiā.She hasn't missed home at all since she wen abroad.

The phrases "一点也没 " and "一点都没 " can also be used to express "not at all ." This is used when the statement uses or implies the verb negative form of 有 in the past.

我 一点也没 生气。Wǒ yīdiǎn yě méi shēngqì.I didn't get even a little bit angry.
今天的考试她 一点都没 准备。Jīntiān de kǎoshì tā yīdiǎn dōu méi zhǔnbèi.She didn't even prepare a little for the exam today.
这个菜你们怎么 一点也没 吃？Zhège cài nǐmen zěnme yīdiǎn yě méi chī?Why didn't you eat this dish at all?
你妈给你的钱你 一点都没 花？Nǐ mā gěi nǐ de qián nǐ yīdiǎn dōu méi huā?You didn't even spend a bit of the money you mother gave you?
邻居昨晚吵死了，我 一点都没 睡。Línjū zuówǎn chǎo sǐ le, wǒ yīdiǎn dōu méi shuì.My neighbor was too loud last night. I didn't even sleep a bit.

Used with Adjectives

Structure

Examples

Used with Verbs

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books