Degree Adverbs: 很/太/非常
Degree adverbs come directly before an adjective or stative verb.
Pattern: Subject + Degree Adverb + Adjective
- 很 (hěn) = very / quite. In simple adjective sentences, 很 is usually required even if you don't mean 'very' — the sentence sounds odd without it: 我很好 (I'm good / fine).
- 太 (tài) = too / excessively. Often paired with 了 at end: 太热了！(So hot!)
- 非常 (fēicháng) = extremely / very much. Stronger than 很.
❌ 她漂亮 (sounds incomplete without degree adverb)
✅ 她很漂亮 (She is pretty)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 今天很冷。 | Jīn tiān hěn lěng. | Today is cold. | 很 before adjective 冷; required in simple adj-predicate sentences |
| 这个苹果太甜了！ | Zhè gè píng guǒ tài tián le! | This apple is too sweet! | 太...了 pattern for excessive degree |
| 她非常聪明。 | Tā fēi cháng cōng míng. | She is extremely smart. | 非常 is stronger than 很, no 了 needed |
What this opens up
These patterns list Degree Adverbs among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
The same pattern at other levels
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 2
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 3
- Degree adverbs — HSK 4
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 5
Degree Adverbs is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level