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有点儿 vs 一点儿: Where ‘A Bit’ Goes
Both mean ‘a bit’, but one comes before the adjective and one after — and they do different jobs.
Quick answer
有点儿 + adjective = a bit…, usually something you are not happy about · adjective + 一点儿 = a bit more…, a comparison or a request
有点儿贵
a bit expensive
便宜一点儿
a bit cheaper
Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
Put 有点儿 before an adjective
when something is not quite right: 有点儿累, 有点儿贵. Put 一点儿 after an adjective
to ask for a little more of it: 慢一点儿, 便宜一点儿.
Common mistake
Saying 一点儿贵 for ‘a bit expensive’. For ‘a bit + adjective’, 有点儿 goes before it; 一点儿 comes first only in 一点儿也不…, ‘not … at all’.
- Not
这个一点儿贵。- Say
- 这个有点儿贵。
Practise aloud
这个有点儿贵。 This is a bit expensive.
可以便宜一点儿吗？ Could it be a bit cheaper?
请说慢一点儿。 Please speak a bit more slowly.
You’ve got this!
Use them together in a shop: 这个有点儿贵，可以便宜一点儿吗？ The first notices the problem; the second asks for the change. Many speakers say 有点 and 一点 without 儿; both are correct.