This structure expresses complete or total negation. It emphasizes that not even the smallest amount or number is involved.
not even one…, not a single…, nothing at all…, absolutely no…
Compare normal negative and absolute negation:
我不想吃。
Wǒ bù xiǎng chī.
I don't want to eat.
我一点儿也不想吃。
Wǒ yìdiǎnr yě bù xiǎng chī.
I don't want to eat anything at all.
The second sentence is much stronger and more emphatic.
1. 她一件衣服都不想买。
Tā yí jiàn yīfu dōu bù xiǎng mǎi.
She doesn't want to buy a single piece of clothing.
2. 我一个中国电影也没看过。
Wǒ yí ge Zhōngguó diànyǐng yě méi kàn guo.
I haven't watched a single Chinese movie.
2. Using 一点儿 (a little bit)
Sometimes, instead of using 一 + measure word (一件、一 个、一本…), we can use 一点儿.
一点儿 means a little or a bit. However, when used in this negative structure, it emphasizes not even a little / nothing at all.
PAGE 31 EXAMPLES (2)
1. 我一点儿东西也不想吃。
Wǒ yìdiǎnr dōngxi yě bù xiǎng chī.
I don't want to eat anything at all.
2. 他对打球一点儿兴趣都没有。
Tā duì dǎ qiú yìdiǎnr xìngqù dōu méiyǒu.
He has absolutely no interest in playing ball.
3. 一点儿 with adjectives
PAGE 31 EXAMPLES (3)
1. 草原一点儿也不冷。
Cǎoyuán yìdiǎnr yě bù lěng.
The grassland is not cold at all.
2. 他们一点儿也没着急。
Tāmen yìdiǎnr yě méi zháojí.
They weren't worried at all.
Complete the sentences
1. 这件衣服一点儿也不贵，你买吧。
Zhè jiàn yīfu yìdiǎnr yě bú guì, nǐ mǎi ba.
This piece of clothing isn't expensive at all. You should buy it.
2. 我们上个月搬家了，一个邻居也不认识。
Wǒmen shàng ge yuè bānjiā le, yí ge línjū yě bú rènshi.
We moved last month, and we don't know a single neighbour.
3. 这个星期我太忙了，一点儿时间也没有。Zhège xīngqī wǒ tài máng le, yìdiǎnr shíjiān yě méiyǒu.
I've been so busy this week that I haven't had any time at all.