Adverbs: 就，才，有一点儿/ 有一點兒

I. 就 and 才 compared

1. When there is a past time expression (such as yesterday at 7:30),

“就” emphasizes that the action happened earlier, sooner, more quickly or more smoothly than expected.

“才” emphasizes that the action did not happen as early, as soon, as quickly or as smoothly as expected.

他平时八点才来学校上课，今天七点半就来了。

他平時八點才來學校上課，今天七點半就來了。

2. 就 and 才 are two very subjective words. Sentences using就 and 才 only tell you how the speaker thinks.

A: 我们十二点上中文课，朴东仁十二点五分才来。

A: 我們十二點上中文課，朴東仁十二點五分才來。

B: 我十二点五分就来了，小林十二点半才来。

B: 我十二點五分就來了，小林十二點半才來。

3. We see often “就 ….. 了” pattern, but no 了 can be added to才 sentence.

我六岁就开始学画画儿了。/ 我六歲就開始學畫畫兒了。

我六岁才开始学画画儿。/ 我六歲才開始學畫畫兒。

II. 有一点儿 / 有一點兒; 一下; 一点儿/一點兒 compared

"一下" literally means "a swipe" and refers to the length of time the verb will take. Thus it should be placed after the verb it quantifies (time-duration always follows the verb).

我给你们介绍一下。 / 我給你們介紹一下。

"一点儿" on the other hand is a word of amount. It literally means "a bit" and quantifies the object of the verb. Thus it should be placed before the object it qualifies (and of course after the verb since the object often follows the verb).

“一” is optional.

你想喝(一)点儿什么？/ 你想喝(一)點兒什麽？

“有一点儿 / 有一點兒” is an adverb, and is placed before the verb (or adjectival verb) it modifies. It often carries a negative or complaining tone.

The “一” can be omitted.

我今天有(一)点儿忙，不能来看你了。

我今天有(一)點兒忙，不能來看你了。

这课的生词有(一)点儿多。

這課的生詞有(一)點兒多。

这个菜有一点儿好吃。/ 這個菜有一點兒好吃。

这个菜有一点不好吃。/ 這個菜有一點兒不好吃。

我喜欢一点儿这个电影。/ 我喜歡一點兒這個電影。

我不太喜欢这个电影。/ 我不太喜歡這個電影。

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