一点都不
这个电影一点都不好看。
This movie is not good at all.
Used to emphasize that something is completely not the case, often stronger than just '不' (not).
我一点都不累。
I am not tired at all.
这个问题一点都不难。
This question is not difficult at all.
Often used in spoken Chinese to express strong negation. The structure '一点都不' can be replaced with '一点也不' without changing the meaning.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Emphasizing Negation
Use '一点都不' when you want to strongly emphasize that something is not true or does not apply. It’s more emphatic than just '不' and adds a sense of completeness to the negation.
Gold Rule
Structure and Usage
'一点都不' must be followed by an adjective, verb, or sometimes a noun. It cannot stand alone. Example: '这个菜一点都不辣' (This dish is not spicy at all).
Word Origin
The phrase '一点都不' combines the adverbial '一点' (a little) with '都' (all/entirely) and '不' (not) to emphasize complete negation. It evolved from the structure '一点也不' (not even a little) in Middle Chinese.
Usage Notes
1. '一点都不' is more emphatic than just '不'. 2. It can be used with adjectives, verbs, and sometimes nouns to negate a quality or action. 3. In some contexts, it can sound more natural than '一点也不' in spoken Chinese.