些 vs 点儿 (xiē vs diǎnr): expressing 'some' or 'a little'
Both 些 and 点儿 can mean 'some' or 'a bit', but they differ in usage: 些 is typically used for plural countable nouns (e.g., 那些人 'those people') while 点儿 indicates a small amount of uncountable nouns (e.g., 一点儿水 'a little water'). However, both can also follow adjectives to mean 'a bit more' (e.g., 大一些/大一点儿 'a bit bigger'), with 一些 being slightly more formal. Choosing the right term depends on whether the noun is countable and the desired nuance of quantity.
The quantifiers 些 (xiē) and 点儿 (diǎnr) both introduce indefinite quantities, but their core contexts differ. 些 is preferred for countable plural items when combined with a determiner like 一 (one), 这 (this), 那 (that), or 哪 (which), implying a moderate number or degree. 点儿 (often appearing as 一点儿) is used for uncountable nouns or abstract amounts, emphasizing a small, often negligible quantity. A key overlap is after an adjective: both 一些 and 一点儿 can express a comparative increase (e.g., 好一些/好一点儿 'a bit better'), with 一些 sounding slightly more formal. The main challenge is knowing when the noun is countable or uncountable, and understanding that 些 cannot stand alone as a quantifier without a preceding determiner.
When to use each
Use 些 with countable nouns to indicate an indefinite plural number, almost always preceded by 一, 这, 那, or 哪 (e.g., 一些书 'some books', 这些人 'these people'). It can also follow an adjective to mean 'a bit more', as in 大一些 ('a bit bigger') — this is standard and common, especially in written or formal contexts.
些 itself is a bound quantifier; it never appears alone before a noun. The combination 一些 can sometimes be used with uncountable nouns to mean 'some (amount)', though 一点儿 is more typical for very small amounts.
Use 点儿 (often as 一点儿) with uncountable nouns to indicate a small amount: 一点儿水 'a little water', 一点儿时间 'a little time'. It also follows adjectives to mean 'a bit more' (e.g., 大一点儿 'a bit bigger'), which is very common in spoken Mandarin. Additionally, 有点儿 + adjective means 'a little bit ...' (有点儿大 'a bit big').
点儿 can be used alone in informal speech (点儿水), but 一点儿 is the standard full form. After an adjective, 一点儿 is more colloquial than 一些, though both are correct.
At a glance
| 些 | 点儿 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical noun type | Countable plural (一些书, 那些人) | Uncountable (一点儿水, 一点儿时间) |
| Usage after adjective | Standard, often formal (大一些, 快一些) | Standard, colloquial (大一点儿, 快一点儿) |
| Standalone before noun | Must be combined with 一/这/那/哪 (*些书 is wrong) | Can stand alone or as 一点儿 (点儿水 acceptable informally) |
| Implied quantity | Moderate number/degree | Small, minimal amount |
| Combined with 有/没 | Some (有) is possible but less common: 有些问题 ('some problems') | Common: 有一点儿水 ('have a little water'); 没(一)点儿 ('not a bit') |
Examples
- 些请再大一些。Qǐng zài dà yīxiē.Please make it a bit bigger.些 after adjective indicates a comparative degree.
- 点儿我只要一点儿牛奶。Wǒ zhǐ yào yīdiǎnr niúnǎi.I only want a little milk.点儿 used with uncountable noun.
- 些这些苹果很新鲜。Zhèxiē píngguǒ hěn xīnxiān.These apples are very fresh.些 with 这 to specify a plural group.
- 点儿他跑得快一点儿。Tā pǎo de kuài yīdiǎnr.He runs a bit faster.点儿 after an adjective in a comparison context.
- 些我有一些朋友，但没多少。Wǒ yǒu yīxiē péngyou, dàn méi duōshao.I have some friends, but not many.Countable noun with 一些.
- 些这本书比那本好一些。Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn hǎo yīxiē.This book is a bit better than that one.些 after adjective in a formal comparison; 一点儿 would also be fine.
Common mistakes
- Using 点儿 with countable nouns: *一点儿人 (wrong; use 一些人 or 几个人).
- Using 些 alone before a noun without a determiner: *些书 (wrong; must be 一些书, 这些书, etc.).
- Thinking 一些 cannot follow adjectives: 大一些 is perfectly standard and common.
- Overusing 点儿 for uncountable nouns when a larger quantity is intended: 一点儿水 implies very little; for a moderate amount, use 一些水.
- Confusing 有(一)点儿 + adjective (有点儿大 'a bit big') with adjective + 一点儿 (大一点儿 'a bit bigger'): the former is a quality, the latter a comparison.
FAQ
- When do I use 些 vs 点儿 after nouns?
- Use 些 (with 一, 这, etc.) for countable items (e.g., 一些书 'some books', 那些人 'those people'). Use 点儿 (usually 一点儿) for uncountable things like water, time, money (e.g., 一点儿水 'a little water'). If the noun is abstract or mass, 一点儿 is preferred for small amounts.
- Can 些 and 点儿 both follow adjectives?
- Yes, both are standard. 大一些 and 大一点儿 both mean 'a bit bigger'. The difference is mainly stylistic: 一些 is slightly more formal or literary, while 一点儿 is very common in everyday speech. There is no meaning difference.
- Is 一些 or 一点儿 more formal?
- When modifying an adjective, 一些 is considered a bit more formal than 一点儿. However, before nouns, both can be neutral; the choice depends on countability and amount. 一些 can also work with some uncountable nouns to imply a moderate amount, while 一点儿 always emphasizes a small amount.
- Why is *些书 incorrect?
- 些 is a bound quantifier that always needs a preceding determiner (一, 这, 那, 哪). To say 'some books', you must say 一些书; 'these books' is 这些书. Without a determiner, the expression is ungrammatical. In contrast, 点儿 can appear as 一点儿 or colloquially as 点儿 alone before a noun (点儿水), though 一点儿 is the standard form.