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<h1>Expressing "a bit too"</h1>

<p>了一点儿 (le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean "a little bit too." It is softer in tone than using 太, and so is often used when the speaker doesn't want to insult the listener by speaking too directly.</p>

<h2>Contents</h2>

  
<div class="contents"><ul><li><span style="font-size: 20px;">1 Structure </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">2 Examples </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">3 See also </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">4 Sources and further reading </span></li>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: 20px;">4.1 Books</span></li>
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<h3>Structure</h3>

<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="deux">Adj. + 了（一）点儿</div>

<h3>Examples</h3>

<div class="exemple"><ul><li><span style="font-size: 20px;">这 条 牛仔裤 好像 短 了 点儿 。
This pair of jeans seems a little short for me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">那个 地方 离 我 家 远 了 一点儿。
That place is a little too far away from my house. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">这 件 衬衫 小 了 点儿 ，我 想 换 一 件。
This shirt is a little small. I want to exchange it for another one. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">他 给 的 这个 红包 好像 少 了 点儿 。
The money he gave in the red envelope seems too little. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">你 管 得 是 不 是 多 了 点儿 ？
Don't you care a little too much? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">现在 说 “对不起” 是 不 是 晚 了 点儿 ？
Isn't it a little too late to say sorry now? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">私立 学校 是 贵 了 点儿 ，不过 老师 很 优秀 。
Private schools are a little expensive, but their teachers are excellent. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">你 这么 高 ，你 这个 男朋友 是 不 是 矮 了 点儿 ？
You are so tall. Isn't your boyfriend a little short for you? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">这 道 菜 咸 了 点儿 ，可以 换 一 盘 吗？
This dish is a little too salty, could you make another one? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">对 五 岁 的 孩子 来说 ，这 个 问题复杂 了 一点儿 。
This question is a bit complicated for a five-year-old kid.</span><br/></li>
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<p>As in the first two examples, 稍微 is often added before the adjective to further soften the tone.</p>

<h3>See also</h3>

<div class="See-also"><ul><li><span style="font-size: 20px;">Expressing "much more" in comparisons </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 20px;">Expressing "excessively" with tai</span><br/></li>
</ul>
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<h3>Sources and further reading
</h3>
<h4>Books</h4>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: 20px;">Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 6- 8) →buy</span><br/></li>
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