{"id":4152,"date":"2018-06-27T18:45:31","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T10:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/?p=4152"},"modified":"2022-06-03T18:34:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T10:34:32","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-youdian-and-yidian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/whats-the-difference-between-youdian-and-yidian\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Difference Between \u6709\u70b9\u513f youdianr & \u4e00\u70b9\u513f yidianr?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u6709\u70b9\u513f<\/a> (y\u01d2u di\u01cenr) and \u4e00\u70b9\u513f<\/a> (y\u012b di\u01cenr) basically both mean the same thing: \u2018a little\u2019. The key thing is to learn how to use them correctly in a sentence. Below, I\u2019ll explain the basics of using \u6709\u70b9\u513f and \u4e00\u70b9\u513f.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, I\u2019d like to look at the \u70b9<\/a> character and its meaning. The character\u2019s general meaning is ‘point’, ‘dot’ or ‘spot’ and is used in many circumstances including to tell the time as well as to order food (\u70b9\u83dc<\/a> – di\u01cen c\u00e0i).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The traditional character \u9ede includes the radical component for black: \u9ed1<\/a> (h\u0113i). The remaining radicals \u53e3<\/a> (k\u01d2u) referring to the mouth and \u535c (b\u01d4) meaning \u2018to divine\u2019 suggests an \u2018 oral interpretation\u2019 of something which then \u2018points\u2019 to the \u2018black\u2019 unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can share how you remember the \u70b9 character on the details page on the Online Dictionary<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6709\u70b9\u513f (y\u01d2u di\u01cenr)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. \u6709\u70b9\u513f + adjective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When \u6709\u70b9\u513f is used with an adjective it creates a negative situation to describe something you don\u2019t like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using \u6709\u70b9\u513f is not only a more polite way to speak in an unpleasant situation, but it makes an angry or upset kind of emotion seem less aggressive, putting the listener at ease without lessening the feeling. It can also be used to create sympathy toward the speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u662f\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u7d2f\u3002<\/a>(w\u01d2 sh\u00ec y\u01d2u di\u01cenr l\u00e8i.) I\u2019m a bit tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u8fd9\u4ef6\u8863\u670d\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u8d35\u3002<\/a> (zh\u00e8 ji\u00e0n y\u012b fu y\u01d2u di\u01cenr gu\u00ec.) The clothes are a little expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u6709\u70b9\u513f + verb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most often, when a verb is used with \u6709\u70b9\u513f it suggests an emotional feeling such as hate, worry or like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u62c5\u5fc3\u4ed6\u3002<\/a>(w\u01d2 y\u01d2u di\u01cenr d\u0101n x\u012bn t\u0101) I’m a little worried about him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u559c\u6b22\u4ed6\uff0c\u53ef\u662f\u4ed6\u592a\u81ea\u5927\u4e86\u3002<\/a>(w\u01d2 y\u01d2u di\u01cenr x\u01d0 huan t\u0101, k\u011b sh\u00ec t\u0101 t\u00e0i z\u00ec d\u00e0 le.) I like him in a way, but he is arrogant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u6709\u70b9\u513f + noun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u4e00\u70b9\u513f works as measure words when used with a noun. So when \u6709\u70b9\u513f is used with a noun, it is actually short for \u6709\u4e00\u70b9\u513f. In this situation, \u6709 predicates the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u51b0\u7bb1\u91cc\u8fd8\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u725b\u5976\u3002<\/a>(b\u012bng xi\u0101ng l\u01d0 h\u00e1i y\u01d2u di\u01cenr ni\u00fa n\u01cei.) There’s a little bit of milk in the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u5bf9\u8fd9\u90e8\u7535\u5f71\u6709\u70b9\u5370\u8c61\u3002<\/a>(w\u01d2 du\u00ec zh\u00e8 b\u00f9 di\u00e0n y\u01d0ng y\u01d2u di\u01cen y\u00ecn xi\u00e0ng.) I have a vague recollection of that movie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. \u6709\u70b9\u513f+ \u4e0d\/\u6ca1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When negating \u6709\u70b9\u513f you can use either\u00a0\u4e0d or \u6ca1 afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sentence pattern: \u6709\u70b9\u513f + \u4e0d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u6709\u70b9\u513f\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u8fd9\u9996\u6b4c\u4e86\u3002<\/a>(w\u01d2 y\u01d2u di\u01cen b\u00f9 x\u01d0 huan zh\u00e8 sh\u01d2u g\u0113 le.) I didn’t like the song very much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4e00\u70b9\u513f (y\u012b di\u01cenr)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. adjective + \u4e00\u70b9\u513f, adjective + \u4e00\u70b9\u513f + \u4e86, adjective + \u4e86 + \u4e00\u70b9\u513f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u4e00\u70b9\u513f is more frequently used to express optimism or to request something. The adjective used is usually a positive one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4f60\u770b\u8d77\u6765\u6bd4\u6628\u5929\u597d\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u4e86\u3002<\/a>(n\u01d0 k\u00e0n q\u01d0 l\u00e1i b\u01d0 zu\u00f3 ti\u0101n h\u01ceo y\u012b di\u01cenr le.) You look a little better than you did yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u5979\u7684\u6253\u5b57\u901f\u5ea6\u53ef\u4ee5\u518d\u5feb\u4e86\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u3002<\/a>(t\u0101 de d\u01ce z\u00ec s\u00f9 d\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0 z\u00e0i ku\u00e0i le y\u012b di\u01cenr.) Her typing speed could be a little faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Verb + \u4e00\u70b9\u513f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The verbs used before \u4e00\u70b9\u513f are usually common verbs such as do, make or look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u4ed6\u4ec0\u4e48\u8fd0\u52a8\u90fd\u61c2\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\uff0c\u4f46\u662f\u90fd\u4e0d\u7cbe\u901a\u3002<\/a>(t\u0101 sh\u00e9n me y\u00f9n d\u00f2ng y\u00f9n d\u014du d\u01d2ng y\u012b di\u01cenr\uff0c d\u00e0n sh\u00ec d\u014du b\u00f9 j\u012bng t\u014dng.) He knows a bit about every sport, but isn’t good at any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u5979\u5e26\u7684\u73b0\u91d1\u5df2\u7ecf\u8db3\u591f\u4e86\uff0c\u4f60\u53ea\u9700\u8981\u518d\u7ed9\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u5c31\u884c\u4e86\u3002<\/a> (t\u0101 d\u00e0i de xi\u00e0n j\u012bn y\u01d0 j\u012bng z\u00fa g\u00f2u le, n\u01d0 zh\u01d0 x\u016b y\u00e0o z\u00e0i g\u011bi y\u012b di\u01cenr ji\u00f9 x\u00edng le. She has enough cash with her, you only need to give a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u4e00\u70b9\u513f + noun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When \u4e00\u70b9\u513f is combined with a noun, it acts as a measure word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u5979\u5728\u51cf\u80a5\uff0c\u6240\u4ee5\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u8089\u90fd\u4e0d\u6562\u5403\u3002<\/a>(t\u0101 z\u00e0i ji\u01cen f\u00e9i, su\u01d2 y\u01d0 y\u012b di\u01cenr r\u00f2u d\u014du b\u00f9 g\u01cen ch\u012b.) She’s on a diet, so she daren’t eat any meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4ed6\u4eca\u5929\u559d\u4e86\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u9152\u3002<\/a>(t\u0101 j\u012bn ti\u0101n h\u0113 le y\u012b di\u01cenr ji\u01d4.) He drank a little wine today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. \u4e00\u70b9\u513f + \u90fd\/\u4e5f +\u4e0d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using \u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u90fd\u4e0d or \u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u4e5f\u4e0d creates a complete negation of the sentence and means \u2018not at all\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6211\u4e00\u70b9\u513f\u90fd\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u8fd9\u9996\u6b4c\u3002<\/a> (w\u01d2 y\u012b di\u01cenr d\u014du b\u00f9 x\u01d0 huan zh\u00e8 sh\u01d2u g\u0113.) I don’t like this song at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Answer the questions below to test your understanding of the difference between \u4e00\u70b9\u513f and \u6709\u70b9\u513f.<\/p>\n\n\n\n