Level 2 · Elementary
一点 vs 有点
Adj. + 一点 / 有点 + Adj. · Traditional: Adj. + 一點 / 有點 + Adj.
Both mean "a little", but they sit on opposite sides of the adjective and feel different. 有点 comes BEFORE the adjective and usually complains: 这个有点贵 "this is a bit (too) expensive".
一点 comes AFTER the adjective and compares or requests: 便宜一点 "a little cheaper (please)", 请说慢一点 "please speak a bit more slowly". In northern Mainland speech you'll often hear these with an -r ending: 一点儿, 有点儿.
Examples
这个有点贵。
這個有點貴。
zhè ge yǒu diǎn guì
This is a bit expensive.
今天有点冷。
今天有點冷。
jīn tiān yǒu diǎn lěng
It's a bit cold today.
便宜一点，好吗？
便宜一點，好嗎？
pián yi yī diǎn hǎo ma
A little cheaper, okay?
请说慢一点。
請說慢一點。
qǐng shuō màn yī diǎn
Please speak a little more slowly.
Common mistakes
✗ 这个一点贵。
✓ 这个有点贵。
"A bit + adjective" (a complaint) is 有点 before the adjective; 一点 only comes after it.
Related grammar points
Practice this pattern in graded stories like Shopping and Bargaining (Part 1), Who Really Won? (Part 4), The First Train (Part 9) inside the Literate Chinese app.
