Correct
一点儿 vs 一些
/ yīdiǎnr vs yīxiē /
Strokes
Definition
Both 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) and 一些 (yīxiē) can mean "some" or "a little," but they are used in different contexts with different nuances. Here’s how to use them correctly:
1. 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) – "A Little," "A Bit" (Smaller Quantity, Informal)
Usage:
Very Small Quantity (Less than 一些)
- Used for uncountable nouns (water, time, money) or abstract things (hope, patience).
- Often implies a tiny amount (like "a little bit").
- 请给我一点儿水。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yīdiǎnr shuǐ.) → "Please give me a little water."
- 我只有一点儿钱。 (Wǒ zhǐ yǒu yīdiǎnr qián.) → "I only have a little money."
After Adjectives (Comparative Meaning)
- Used to show a small difference (like "-er" in English).
- 这件衣服贵一点儿。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu guì yīdiǎnr.)
→ "This dress is a little more expensive." - 今天比昨天冷一点儿。 (Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yīdiǎnr.)
→ "Today is a bit colder than yesterday."
In Negative Sentences (Emphasizing "None")
- 一点儿 + 也/都 + 不/没 = "Not at all"
- 我一点儿也不饿。 (Wǒ yīdiǎnr yě bù è.)
→ "I’m not at all hungry." - 他一点儿都没变。 (Tā yīdiǎnr dōu méi biàn.)
→ "He hasn’t changed at all."
2. 一些 (yīxiē) – "Some," "A Few" (Larger Quantity, More Formal)
Usage:
Small but Noticeable Quantity (More than 一点儿)
- Used for countable nouns (books, people) or uncountable nouns (water, time).
- Implies a noticeable but not large amount (like "some" or "a few").
- 我买了一些书。 (Wǒ mǎi le yīxiē shū.)
→ "I bought some books." - 她给了我一些建议。 (Tā gěi le wǒ yīxiē jiànyì.)
→ "She gave me some advice."
After Adjectives (Less Common Than 一点儿)
- Rarely used after adjectives (一点儿 is more natural).
- ❌ 这件衣服贵一些。 (Unnatural, use 一点儿 instead.)
- ✅ 这个问题简单一些。 (Zhè ge wèntí jiǎndān yīxiē.)
→ "This problem is a bit simpler." (Less common than 一点儿)
In Formal/Neutral Contexts
- More common in written Chinese or formal speech.
- 我们需要一些帮助。 (Wǒmen xūyào yīxiē bāngzhù.)
→ "We need some help."
3. Key Differences Summary
| Feature | 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) | 一些 (yīxiē) |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Very small ("a little bit") | Small but noticeable ("some/a few") |
| Usage | Uncountable/abstract nouns, adjectives | Countable/uncountable nouns |
| Formality | More informal | More formal/neutral |
| After Adjectives | Common (贵一点儿) | Rare (贵一些 is unnatural) |
| Negative Sentences | 一点儿也不饿 ("not at all") | ❌ 一些也不饿 (wrong) |
Final Summary
Use 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) for:
✔ Very small quantities ("a little bit").
✔ After adjectives (贵一点儿).
✔ Negative sentences (一点儿也不).
Use 一些 (yīxiē) for:
✔ Small but noticeable amounts ("some/a few").
✔ Countable nouns (一些书).
✔ Formal/neutral contexts.
Example
Both 一点儿 and 一些 mean "a little quantity" and can be applied to concrete as well as abstract things. They can be used before nouns or after adjectives and verbs. 一些 is more literary.一 can be omitted in both words.
1), Examples ① ② are concrete, and ③ is abstract. 一点儿 or 一些 is used in front of a noun as an attributive, such as examples ① ② ③.
2), When used after an adjective as the complement,both words can indicate comparison like examples ④ ⑤ ⑥.
3), When used after a verb as the object, they indicate small range, like examples ⑦ ⑧.
4), 一点儿 can be reduplicated into 一点（儿）点(儿) to show an even smaller quantity; 一些 cannot be reduplicated, such as example ⑨.
2), When used after an adjective as the complement,both words can indicate comparison like examples ④ ⑤ ⑥.
3), When used after a verb as the object, they indicate small range, like examples ⑦ ⑧.
4), 一点儿 can be reduplicated into 一点（儿）点(儿) to show an even smaller quantity; 一些 cannot be reduplicated, such as example ⑨.
1
Māma
妈妈
,
gěi
给
wǒ
我
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
qián
钱
。
Mum, please give me a little some money.
2
Wǒ
我
mǎi
买
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
rìyòngpǐn
日用品
。
I bought a few/some necessities.
3
Gōngzuò
工作
zhōng
中
,
tā
他
jīlěi
积累
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
jīngyàn
经验
。
A few years later, he had got a little/some work experience.
4
Zhè
这
shuāng
双
xié
鞋
xiǎo
小
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
,
háiyǒu
还有
dà
大
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
de
的
ma
吗
?
This pair of shoes is a bit tight, do you have a bigger one?
5
Kuài
快
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
zǒu
走
。
Hurry up.
6
Dòngzuò
动作
qīng
轻
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
。
Please do it slightly.
7
Xiǎo
小
shùmiáo
树苗
chángdà
长大
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
。
The saplings grows a little.
8
Shuǐ
水
sǎ
洒
chūqù
出去
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
(
yīxiē
一些
)
。
The water spilt a little.
9
Tāng
汤
lǐ
里
zhī
只
fàng
放
le
了
yīdiǎnr
一点儿
diǎnr
点儿
yán
盐
。
There is only a little salt in the soup.
Mistake
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Wrong:
我有一些渴。 (Use 一点儿 for feelings like "thirsty.")
✅ Correct:
我有一点儿渴。 (Wǒ yǒu yīdiǎnr kě.)
→ "I’m a little thirsty."
❌ Wrong:
请给我一点儿书。 (Use 一些 for countable nouns like "books.")
✅ Correct:
请给我一些书。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yīxiē shū.)
→ "Please give me some books."
Exercise
Choose 一点儿 or 一些:
- 你能借我____钱吗？ (一点儿 – "a little money")
- 我买了____水果。 (一些 – "some fruits")
- 他____也不紧张。 (一点儿 – "not at all nervous")
- 这个问题____难。 (一点儿 – "a little difficult")
Translate:
- "I need some time." → 我需要____时间。 (一些)
- "This coffee is a bit bitter." → 这咖啡____苦。 (一点儿)