Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 很 | hěn |
| 太 | tài |
| 非常 | fēicháng |
| 超 | chāo |
| 十分 | shífēn |
| 倍兒 / 倍儿 | bèir |
These terms are used to indicate that a quality or state exists to a high degree. 非常 is a standard and formal way to express 'very', while 十分 translates to 'very' or 'utterly' and is used to emphasize a certain quality.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 十分 literally means 'ten parts' (out of ten), which implies a full or complete degree.
Which one should you use?
非常 is generally stronger and more formal than 很. 太 often carries a connotation of being 'too much' or excessive, and is frequently used in the pattern 太…了. 超 is a colloquial prefix used similarly to the English 'super-' or 'ultra-' to mean 'extremely', and 超级 means 'super' and is used in colloquial language to indicate a high degree of something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal speeches or written articles, you can use 非常 or 极其 (extremely). 十分 is a more formal and literary way to express a high degree compared to 很. In contrast, 超 and 超级 are informal and used in colloquial speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern China, you may hear the colloquialism 倍儿 used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'. In Southern China and parts of Taiwan, locals use 好 to indicate 'very' or 'really' in a casual way.
How does it change in a sentence?
In simple adjective-predicate sentences, 很 is often used as a grammatical filler even if the speaker doesn't intend to emphasize the degree of the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 很 to mean 'very' in every context, but in many simple sentences, 很 is just a required grammatical link between a subject and an adjective.
Did you know?
- The common word 很 originally meant 'cruel' or 'to defy' before it evolved into a word for 'very' during the Yuan dynasty.
- Using 太 often requires adding 了 at the end of the sentence, transforming 'very' into an expression of excess or an exclamation.
Examples in context
- 我最近很忙。I'm very busy these days.This sentence shows how 很 is used to describe a current state of being busy.Tatoeba #409710 by egg0073, translation #60801 by CK
- 他非常性感。He's very sexy.This sentence demonstrates the use of 非常 to express a high degree of an attribute.Tatoeba #544100 by GlossaMatik, translation #1671 by al_ex_an_der
- 你确实很强。You are truly very strong.This sentence uses 很 to emphasize a quality of strength.Tatoeba #1372517 by sadhen, translation #7758468 by pokeonimac
- 这个问题非常困难。This problem is very difficult.
- 这次会议极其重要。This meeting is extremely important.
- 她是一个十分聪明的女孩。She is a very intelligent girl.
- 这个餐馆的菜超级好吃。The food at this restaurant is super delicious.
- 这个电影好好看啊！This movie is so enjoyable!
- 这个地方的风景挺美的。The scenery of this place is quite beautiful.
- 1377 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Zhiqiang and Jiayi are discussing the food.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个菜很香。Zhège cài hěn xiāng.This dish is very fragrant.
- 佳怡 Jiayi对，也很好吃。Duì, yě hěn hǎochī.Yes, it's also very delicious.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这里的服务很周到。Zhèlǐ de fúwù hěn zhōudào.The service here is very attentive.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我很喜欢这家店。Wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhè jiā diàn.I like this shop very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “very” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 太, 很, 超, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
