太
tai
In Chinese, the word for "too" is 太 (tai).
太 is used to indicate an excessive or extreme degree. It can be used to mean "too" in a negative sense (e.g., "too much") or as an intensifier meaning "extremely" or "very" in a positive sense.
Meaning: (focus) likewise (adv)
Which one should you use?
While the English word "too" can mean "also" (as in "Me too"), you cannot use 太 for this purpose. You must use 也 instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 太 to mean "too" in an intensive or excessive sense, it is almost always paired with the particle 了 at the end of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
tai
Did you know?
- While 太 means 'too' or 'extreme', it is also the standard character used to denote a 'grandmother' or 'great-grandmother' in kinship terms, such as 太奶奶.
- The character 太 is the root of the word 太极 'Tai Chi'. In this context, it does not mean 'too' but refers to the 'supreme ultimate' or the highest state of existence.
- The character 太 is a modified version of 大, which means 'big'. The small dot was added to the original character to specifically represent the concept of being 'too big' or excessive.
Examples in context
- 钱太多了吗？Too much money?This example shows how to use 太 regarding an amount of money.Tatoeba #398083 by GlossaMatik, translation #18628 by Zifre
- 你太过分了。You're going too far.This example shows how to use 太 to describe someone's behavior.Tatoeba #831409 by GlossaMatik, translation #15991 by CM
- 现在太晚了。It's too late now.This example shows how to use 太 regarding time.Tatoeba #3539203 by GlossaMatik, translation #65909 by CK
- 这个问题太难了。This question is too difficult.
- 她锻炼得太疯狂了。She exercises too excessively.
- 这个计划过于冒险。This plan is too risky.
- 447 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing the weather in the office.
- 佳怡 Jiayi今天天气太热了。Jīntiān tiānqì tài rè le.The weather is too hot today.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也觉得太热了。Wǒ yě juéde tài rè le.I also think it is too hot.
- 佳怡 Jiayi空调太冷了，我不舒服。Kòngtiáo tài lěng le, wǒ bù shūfu.The air conditioner is too cold, I feel uncomfortable.
- 志强 Zhiqiang确实，风太大了。Quèshí, fēng tài dà le.Indeed, the wind is too strong.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 太, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
