HSK 3
程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了
chéng dù bǔ yǔ 1 ： xíng róng cí / xīn lǐ dòng cí + de hěn / jí le / sǐ le
Complement of degree with 很/极了/死了
Explanation
This is a degree complement (an element placed after an adjective/verb to indicate the degree of the action or state), using 得很, 极了, 死了 to emphasize a VERY HIGH degree.
adjective / psychological verb + 得很 (de hěn) / 极了 (jí le) / 死了 (sǐ le). For example: 累得很 (lèi de hěn) = very tired; 冷极了 (lěng jí le) = extremely cold; 忙死了 (máng sǐ le) = busy to death.
when you want to express a degree much higher than the ordinary 很 (hěn = very), carrying an exclamatory, vivid nuance. 极了 and 死了 are usually used in colloquial speech, and 死了 is a bit exaggerated/casual.
得很 comes after and needs the character 得; but 极了 and 死了 attach directly after the adjective, WITHOUT 得 (say 冷极了, not 冷得极了).
mistakenly adding 得 before 极了/死了; or adding 很 before an adjective that already uses these complements (do not say 很累得很), because that is redundant in degree.
Examples
I'm very tired.
It's extremely cold outside.
The children absolutely love this game.
They are busy to death today (incredibly busy).
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了” effectively
The grammar point “程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了” (Complement of degree with 很/极了/死了) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. 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.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.