HSK 1

程度副词:非常、很、太、真、最

chéng dù fù cí : fēi cháng 、 hěn 、 tài 、 zhēn 、 zuì

Adverbs of degree

Explanation

Adverbs of degree (程度副词 chéngdù fùcí) are words placed before an adjective or an emotion verb to indicate a high or low degree.

Structure

Subject (the doer, at the start of the sentence) + adverb of degree + adjective/verb → 这里 + 太 + 冷 (it is too cold here).

When to use

非常 (fēicháng - very, extremely) and 很 (hěn - very) express a high degree; note that 很 is often just a filler word and does not carry a strong "very" meaning (她很高 just means "she is tall"). 太 (tài - too) usually goes with 了 (le) at the end, carrying a complaining or admiring tone: 太冷了 (it's too cold). 真 (zhēn - really) is used for genuine exclamation. 最 (zuì - most) indicates the highest degree in a comparison.

Common mistakes

beginners often forget that 太 requires 了 (saying 太冷 sounds abrupt); and they should not place an adverb of degree before an ordinary action verb (one does not say 很去 - "very go").

Examples

我非常喜欢这本书。
fēichánghuanzhèběnshū

I really like this book.

那个本子很好看。
geběnzihěnhǎokàn

That notebook is very pretty.

这里太冷了。
zhètàilěngle

It is too cold here.

你的房间真干净!
defángjiānzhēngānjìng

Your room is really clean!

我最喜欢打球。
zuìhuanqiú

I like playing ball the most.

Practice

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Learn “程度副词:非常、很、太、真、最” effectively

The grammar point “程度副词:非常、很、太、真、最” (Adverbs of degree) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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