一点儿 and 一下儿: a little

一点儿 is “a little”: 喝一点儿茶, 慢一点儿, “a bit slower”. 一下儿 goes after a verb and softens it: 等一下儿, “wait a moment”. Both make a request gentler.

Examples

• 我想喝一点儿茶。 Wǒ xiǎng hē yìdiǎnr chá. I'd like a little tea.
• 请说慢一点儿。 Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎnr. Please speak a bit slower.
• 请等一下儿。 Qǐng děng yíxiàr. Please wait a moment.

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