Not sure when to use 一点儿 [yīdiǎnér] or 有点儿 [yǒudiǎnér]? The trick is to look carefully at the word it is referring to!. Both 一点儿 and 有点儿 can be translated as "a little” or “a bit”. So, what’s the difference between them?. 有点儿 is always placed before an adjective. Let's see some examples:

Structure: Subject + 有点儿 + Adjective

有点儿 also has a slight negative connotation, you use it to talk about something that’s not very pleasant. So, you won’t really see it next to a positive adjective like 高兴 [gāoxīng], 有意思 [yǒuyìsī], or 漂亮 [piāoliàng]. Unlike 有点儿, if 一点儿 [yīdiǎnér] is paired with an adjective, it always comes after it.

Structure: Adjective + 一点儿

This option is common when making comparisons. For example, 哥哥比我高一点儿 [gēgē bǐ wǒ gāo yīdiǎnér]. But watch out because, unlike with adjectives, 一点儿 goes before a noun. In this context, it’s frequently translated as “a little bit of” or “a few”.

Structure: 一点儿 + Noun

It's time to practice!

Now it's your turn! Practice with these sentences:
昨天工作_______忙，没时间出去玩儿。
我们一起去超市吧，我要买______茶。
这件衣服_____ 大，那件小_______。
弟弟比姐姐做的饭好吃______。

Answers:
昨天工作有点儿忙，没时间出去玩儿。
我们一起去超市吧，我要买一点儿茶。
这件衣服有点儿 大，那件小一点儿。
弟弟比姐姐做的饭好吃一点儿。