Lesson 14: A bit busy: 有(一)点儿

有(一)点儿 + adjective means "a bit…", usually used when things are not as one would like; the interjection 啊 and the particle 呢.

Hanyu textbook · Hanyu 1 · Lesson 14

我最近有(一)点儿忙。

Wǒ zuìjìn yǒu(yì)diǎnr máng.

I've been a bit busy lately.

Explanation

“有(一)点儿” means "somewhat, a little…" (often used when things are not as one would like). Example: 我最近有(一)点儿忙。 (I've been a bit busy lately.) 这个箱子有(一)点儿大。 (This suitcase is a bit big.)

The tone of the interjection “啊” changes its meaning. Read in the 4th tone, it means "I see" or "I get it". The modal particle “呢” is used at the end of a statement to express confirmation: 啊，在那儿呢。 (Ah, there it is!)

Structure

1
有(一)点儿adjective
It means "somewhat, a little…" (often used when things are not as one would like).
- 我最近有(一)点儿忙。
  Wǒ zuìjìn yǒu(yì)diǎnr máng.
  I've been a bit busy lately.
- 这个箱子有(一)点儿大。
  Zhège xiāngzi yǒu(yì)diǎnr dà.
  This suitcase is a bit big.
2
啊（thanh 4）· 呢 cuối câu kể
啊 in the 4th tone: "I see, I get it". 呢 at the end of a statement: confirmation.
- 啊，在那儿呢。
  À, zài nàr ne.
  Ah, there it is!
- 啊，知道了。
  À, zhīdào le.
  Ah, I get it!

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