ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B2.old/Grammar-wiki-B2-5.txt.html

<p>了一点儿 (le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean &quot;a little bit too.&quot; It is softer in tone than <a href="Expressing_&quot;excessively&quot;_with_tai" title="wikilink">using 太</a>, and so is often used when the speaker doesn't want to insult the listener by speaking too directly.</p>
<h2 id="structure">Structure</h2>
<p>In this structure, the overall effect of the pattern depends on the preceding adjective. If the adjective in the structure has a negative meaning, then it is used to show the speaker’s dissatisfaction (a sort of complaint). If the adjective in the structure has a positive meaning, then it usually reflects a change.</p>
<div class="jiegou">
<p>Adj. + 了（一）点儿</p>
</div>
<h2 id="examples">Examples</h2>
<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li>这 条 牛仔裤 好像 <strong>短</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This jeans seems a little short for me.</span></li>
<li>那个 地方 离 我 家 <strong>远</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em>。<span class="trans">That place is a little too far away from my place.</span></li>
<li>这 件 衬衫 <strong>小</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ，我 想 换 一 件。<span class="trans">This shirt is a little small. I need another one.</span></li>
<li>他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 <strong>少</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">The money he gave in the red packet seems too little.</span></li>
<li>你 管 得 是 不 是 <strong>多</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ？<span class="trans">Don't you care too much?</span></li>
<li>现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 <strong>晚</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ？<span class="trans">Isn't it a little too late to say sorry just now?</span></li>
<li>私立 学校 是 <strong>贵</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ，不过 老师 很 优秀 。<span class="trans">Private schools are a little expensive, but their teachers are excellent.</span></li>
<li>你 这么 高 ，你 这个 男朋友 是 不 是 <strong>矮</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ？<span class="trans">You are so tall. Isn't your boyfriend a little short for you?</span></li>
<li>这 道 菜 <strong>咸</strong> <em>了 点儿</em> ，可以 换 一 盘 吗？<span class="trans">This dish is a little too salty, could you have another one again?</span></li>
<li>对 五 岁 的 孩子 来说 ，这 个 问题<strong>复杂</strong> <em>了 一点儿</em> 。<span class="trans">This question is a bit complicated for a five-year-old kid.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>As in the first two examples, 稍微 is often added before the adjective to further soften the tone.</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="Expressing_&quot;much_more&quot;_in_comparisons" title="wikilink">Expressing &quot;much more&quot; in comparisons</a></li>
<li><a href="Expressing_&quot;excessively&quot;_with_tai" title="wikilink">Expressing &quot;excessively&quot; with tai</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2>
<h3 id="books">Books</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_2_(3rd_ed)" title="wikilink">Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)</a> (pp. 6- 8) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=allset-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399369&amp;creativeASIN=0887276709">→buy</a></li>
</ul>
<p>       </p>
<p><a href="Category:_B2_grammar_points" title="wikilink">Category: B2 grammar points</a> <a href="Category:_Adjectives" title="wikilink">Category: Adjectives</a></p>