Lesson 8: Some expressions in Lesson 8: 差(一)点儿 and adjective + 了(一)点儿

The adverb 差(一)点儿 (almost), adjective + 了(一)点儿 (a bit too much), and two common expressions 不怎么样 and 别提了.

Hanyu textbook · Hanyu 3 · Lesson 8

我差点儿摔倒。

Wǒ chàdiǎnr shuāidǎo.

I almost fell.

Explanation

差（一）点儿 (almost) is an adverb and serves as an adverbial in the sentence.

A. If the event is undesirable: it means the event nearly happened but did not, implying relief that it didn't. The verb that follows can be affirmative or negative with the same meaning; both describe an event that did not happen.

B. If the event is desirable: when the verb after 差点儿 is negative (没), it means the event was finally achieved, implying luck; when the verb is affirmative, it means the event was finally not achieved, implying regret.

Adjective + 了（一）点儿 (e.g. 颜色深了一点儿): means that measured against some standard, the degree is not appropriate, expressing dissatisfaction.

不怎么样 (nothing special)

means not good, expressing dissatisfaction.

别提了 (don't even mention it)

means stop talking about it; expresses that a person or matter is unsatisfactory or upsetting and the speaker doesn't want to bring it up, with an exclamatory tone.

Structure

1
差（一）点儿没optional动词 (việc không tốt)
Whether affirmative or negative, it means the event did not happen.
- 今天早上，我差点儿迟到。/ 今天早上我差点儿没迟到。
  Jīntiān zǎoshang, wǒ chàdiǎnr chídào. / Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ chàdiǎnr méi chídào.
  I almost was late this morning. (Both versions mean: I was not late)
- 我差点儿摔倒。/ 我差点儿没摔倒。
  Wǒ chàdiǎnr shuāidǎo. / Wǒ chàdiǎnr méi shuāidǎo.
  I almost fell. (Both versions mean: I did not fall)
2
差（一）点儿没动词 / 差（一）点儿动词 (việc tốt)
+没: finally achieved (lucky); affirmative: finally not achieved (regret).
- 只有这一个了，我差点儿没买到。
  Zhǐyǒu zhè yí ge le, wǒ chàdiǎnr méi mǎidào.
  There was only one left, and I almost didn't get it. (I did get it)
- 到我这儿正好卖完，我差点儿就买到了。
  Dào wǒ zhèr zhènghǎo mài wán, wǒ chàdiǎnr jiù mǎidào le.
  By the time it was my turn they had just sold out; I almost got it. (I didn't get it)
- 我差点儿没考上大学。
  Wǒ chàdiǎnr méi kǎoshàng dàxué.
  I almost didn't get into university. (I got in)
- 去年，他差点儿就考上了。
  Qùnián, tā chàdiǎnr jiù kǎoshàng le.
  Last year he almost got in. (He didn't get in)
3
形容词了（一）点儿
The degree is not appropriate; dissatisfaction.
- 这条裤子长了一点儿。
  Zhè tiáo kùzi cháng le yìdiǎnr.
  These trousers are a little too long.
- 这本书贵了一点儿。
  Zhè běn shū guì le yìdiǎnr.
  This book is a bit expensive.
4
不怎么样 · 别提了
A common expression in spoken Chinese.
- A：这张照片照得怎么样？ B：不怎么样。
  A: Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn zhào de zěnmeyàng? B: Bù zěnmeyàng.
  A: How did this photo turn out? B: Nothing special.
- A：你怎么了？ B：嗨，别提了，昨天又拉肚子了。
  A: Nǐ zěnme le? B: Hāi, bié tí le, zuótiān yòu lā dùzi le.
  A: What's wrong with you? B: Oh, don't even mention it; I had a stomachache again yesterday.

Practice

25 questions in 3 sets. One at a time, checked instantly, with explanations.

Start practice