HSK 1 Word Classes (Adverb) Adverb Degree Adverbs

Degree Adverbs - 非常、很、太、真…

程度副词 — 非常、很、太、真…

Degree adverbs modify adjectives to indicate intensity: very (very, often neutral), extremely (extremely), too (too), really (truly), a little (a bit, negative sense).

Structure

Subject + very/extremely/too/really + Adjective Subject + a little + Adjective (negative sense)

Elements

extremelyverytooreallya little

How to use it

very is often quasi obligatory before a predicative adjective (otherwise there is a comparative nuance).
a little implies always a negative judgment: a little expensive (slightly expensive) but not *a little good.
too...ly expresses excess or admiration: too good! (Super!) / too expensive.

Examples

这个菜非常好吃。

zhège cài fēicháng hǎochī。

This dish is really delicious.

这个问题很简单。

zhè ge wèntí hěn jiǎndān

This question is very simple.

太贵了！

tài guì le！

This is too expensive!

这是真的。

zhè shì zhēn de

This is true.

房子里有很多人。

fáng lǐ yǒu hěn duō rén

The house is full of people.

这里有点儿远。

zhèlǐ yǒu(yì)diǎnr yǒu(yì)diǎnr yuǎn。

This is a bit far here.

Notes and exceptions

In « She is very pretty », very is almost empty of meaning (neutral link between subject and adjective).
Without very, the sentence implies a comparison: She is pretty ≈ « she is (more) pretty ».
extremely : very. The word extremely is used to express a particular intensity or importance, similar to very or really.
very : very. The word very is often translated as very.
too : too. The character 太 (tài) can mean too, very, or extremely. Frequent combinations observed: 了 (aspect/change).
really : really. The word 真 (zhēn) means really in French, used to express the sincerity or authenticity of an affirmation.
a little : a bit (negative sense).
a little : a bit (negative sense).

Common mistakes

a little is always negative: a little expensive ✓ but *a little good ✗ (use quite good).
Do not confuse really (vraiment) and very (très/neutral): really good! is more expressive than very good.