很、非常、有点 and 一点儿

Original Chinese study material with English explanations. Simplified Chinese with pinyin; beginner, intermediate and advanced are editorial difficulty labels.

很 (hěn) commonly links an adjective in an ordinary description; it is not always emphatic “very”. 非常 (fēicháng) is stronger. 有点 (yǒudiǎn) before an adjective means somewhat, often with an unfavourable judgement.

这杯茶有点苦。

Zhè bēi chá yǒudiǎn kǔ.

This cup of tea is a little bitter.

请说慢一点儿。

Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎnr.

Please speak a little more slowly.

有点贵 says somewhat expensive; 便宜一点儿 asks for a little cheaper. The position changes the meaning.

Try it

Which expresses “a little too expensive” naturally?

1. 有点贵
2. 贵有点
3. 一点儿贵有

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