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半点 (bàn diǎn) — the least bit, a bit (used in negative sentences to mean 'not at all')

Definition

A noun meaning 'the least bit' — almost always used in NEGATIVE sentences (没有∼, 不懂∼) to mean 'not at all'. Use 点儿 for the everyday 'a little' in positive statements.

noun
the least bita bit (used in negative sentences to mean 'not at all')

Examples

  • 半点。
    Tā duì zhè jiàn shì méi yǒu bàn diǎn huái yí.
    He doesn't have the least bit of doubt about this matter.
  • 半点。
    Tā de huí dá méi yǒu bàn diǎn xū jiǎ.
    There wasn't a single bit of falsehood in her answer.
  • ，半点。
    Wǒ yì diǎn yě bú lèi, lián bàn diǎn kùn yì dōu méi yǒu.
    I'm not tired at all — I don't have the least bit of sleepiness.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

半bànhalf
点diǎnpoint or bit

半点 literally half a 点, with 半 marking a very small amount, hence the least bit.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 八 (to divide) with 牛 (cow), showing a cow cut into two halves.

Open 半 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →
Appears in
Quantity & Amount

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