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
See it in a story
Read this pattern in context: Shopping and Bargaining (Part 1) — free graded stories with tap-to-reveal pinyin and translations.
