Languages 1001

Welcome! Today’s lesson is all about turning things up (or down) in Chinese with degree adverbs (程度副词). Whether you want to say something is very good, too cold, or your grandma’s dumplings are the best, these words are your new best friends. Let’s meet your new squad of adverbs:

• 很 (hěn) — “very”, but also used to link adjectives! (Though sometimes it’s just there, being polite.)
• 非常 (fēicháng) — “extremely", “very very!”
• 太...了 (tài...le) — “too...” or “so...!”
• 真 (zhēn) — “really”, “truly”
• 最 (zuì) — “the most”, used for favorites or superlatives

How do you use them? Just pop them right before your adjective or verb! Let’s see them at work (with a little help from our story friends):

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我非常喜欢这本书。	Wǒ fēicháng xǐhuān zhè běn shū.	I really like this book.
那个本子很好看。	Nà ge běnzi hěn hǎokàn.	That notebook is very nice.
这里太冷了！	Zhèlǐ tài lěng le!	It’s too cold here!
你的房间真干净！	Nǐ de fángjiān zhēn gānjìng!	Your room is really clean!
我最喜欢打球。	Wǒ zuì xǐhuān dǎ qiú.	I like playing ball most / It’s my favorite.

Tips & Laughs 🏓:

• 很 (hěn) is the “soy sauce” of Chinese sentences: everywhere and essential, and sometimes just for the taste!
• 太...了 is how Haoran feels when there’s too much homework—dramatic and with an exclamation mark!
• If your grandma makes dumplings you love, tell her: “你做的饺子最好吃！” (Your dumplings are the most delicious!)
• Want to really impress Lili? Tell her: “你非常努力！” (You are extremely hardworking!)
• Watch out! Saying “你太好看了！” may make someone think you have a crush. 😏

1. (Lili talking about her boss Jianguo)
王经理 忙。
(Manager Wang is extremely busy.)

2. (Haoran complaining about exams)
这个考试 难 ！
(This test is too hard!)

3. (Xiulan admiring her garden)
你的花 漂亮！
(Your flowers are really beautiful!)

4. (Xiaotong recommending her new TV show)
这部电视剧 。
(This TV show is very good.)

5. (Zhiqiang sharing his favorite food)
我 喜欢吃面条。
(Noodles are my favorite.)

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