Degree adverbs: 十分/极其/稍微/格外
Degree adverbs go before an adjective or feeling verb to say how strong the quality is. At HSK 4 the new ones are 十分 (very), 极其 (extremely, written), 稍微 (slightly) and 格外 (especially).
In English
These four adverbs all say how strong a quality is, but they sit at different points on the scale and in different registers. 稍微 is the weakest ("slightly") and is used in speech. 十分 means "very" and works in speech and writing.
极其 means "extremely" and is mostly written. 格外 means "especially" and compares with what is normal. All four go directly before an adjective or a feeling verb, never after it.
这四个副词都表示程度，但强度和使用场合不同。
| 副词 | 程度 | 语体 | 例句 |
|------|------|------|------|
| 稍微 | 弱 (slight) | 口语 | 稍微有点贵 |
| 十分 | 强 (very) | 口/书 | 十分高兴 |
| 极其 | 最强 (extremely) | 书面 | 极其重要 |
| 格外 | 超出寻常 (exceptionally) | 书面 | 格外小心 |
位置: 副词 + 形容词/心理动词
✅ 这件事十分重要。
✅ 今天她格外漂亮。
❌ 这件事重要十分。(wrong position)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 这道数学题稍微有点难，但我还是做出来了。 | Zhè dào shù xué tí shāo wēi yǒu diǎn nán, dàn wǒ hái shi zuò chū lái le. | This math problem is slightly difficult, but I still managed to solve it. | 稍微 (slightly) + 有点 (a bit) — both weaken the adjective 难; 稍微 can pair with 有点 |
| 这次发生的事情对全市居民来说极其重要，大家都很关注。 | Zhè cì fā shēng de shì qing duì quán shì jū mín lái shuō jí qí zhòng yào, dà jiā dōu hěn guān zhù. | What happened this time is extremely important to all city residents; everyone is paying close attention. | 极其 (extremely) — formal/written register; stronger than 十分; used for serious topics |
| 今天是她的生日，她穿得格外漂亮，笑容也格外灿烂。 | Jīn tiān shì tā de shēng rì, tā chuān de gé wài piào liang, xiào róng yě gé wài càn làn. | Today is her birthday; she dressed exceptionally beautifully, and her smile was exceptionally radiant. | 格外 (exceptionally/particularly) — implies beyond the usual standard; fits special occasions |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
十分 (shífēn)
Means "very"; it goes before an adjective or a feeling verb.
Structure: 十分 + adjective/feeling verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我对这个工作十分满意。 | Wǒ duì zhè gè gōng zuò shí fēn mǎn yì. | I am very satisfied with this job. |
| 他今天十分高兴。 | Tā jīn tiān shí fēn gāo xìng. | He is very happy today. |
| 这个地方十分安静。 | Zhè gè dì fang shí fēn ān jìng. | This place is very quiet. |
Not: 这个菜好吃十分。 十分 goes before the adjective: 这个菜十分好吃.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, adverbs (程度副词).
十分 is also explained in: Degree Adverbs: 多、多么、更、十分、特别、挺、有点儿 (HSK 2).
极其 (jíqí)
Means "extremely"; it is formal and used mostly in writing.
Structure: 极其 + adjective
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这是一个极其重要的会议。 | Zhè shì yí gè jí qí zhòng yào de huì yì. | This is an extremely important meeting. |
| 他说话极其小心。 | Tā shuō huà jí qí xiǎo xīn. | He speaks with great care. |
| 这里的冬天极其冷。 | Zhè lǐ de dōng tiān jí qí lěng. | Winter here is extremely cold. |
Not: 我吃了极其米饭。 极其 modifies adjectives and feeling verbs, not nouns.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, adverbs (程度副词).
极其 is also explained in: Degree, Scope and Time Adverbs (HSK 6).
稍微 (shāowēi)
Means "slightly"; it usually appears with 有点儿, 一点儿 or 一下.
Structure: 稍微 + adjective/verb + 一点儿
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 请稍微等一下，我马上来。 | Qǐng shāo wēi děng yí xià, wǒ mǎ shàng lái. | Please wait a moment, I will be right there. |
| 今天稍微有点儿冷。 | Jīn tiān shāo wēi yǒu diǎnr lěng. | It is a little cold today. |
| 这件衣服稍微大了一点儿。 | Zhè jiàn yī fu shāo wēi dà le yì diǎnr. | This piece of clothing is slightly too big. |
Not: 我稍微很累。 稍微 means "slightly", so it cannot go with 很. Say 我稍微有点儿累.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, adverbs (程度副词).
稍微 is also explained in: Degree Adverbs: 过于、尤其、稍微 (HSK 5).
格外 (géwài)
Means "especially": more than usual for this situation.
Structure: 格外 + adjective/verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 下雪以后，空气格外新鲜。 | Xià xuě yǐ hòu, kōng qì gé wài xīn xiān. | After the snow, the air is especially fresh. |
| 过节的时候，街上格外热闹。 | Guò jié de shí hou, jiē shàng gé wài rè nao. | During the festival the street is especially lively. |
| 今天的月亮格外圆。 | Jīn tiān de yuè liang gé wài yuán. | The moon is especially round today. |
Not: 格外她漂亮。 格外 goes after the subject and before the adjective: 她格外漂亮.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, adverbs (程度副词).
格外 is also explained in: Degree, Scope and Time Adverbs (HSK 6).
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
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 1
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 2
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 3
- Degree Adverbs — HSK 5
Questions about Degree adverbs
What does 程度副词 (Degree adverbs) mean in Chinese?
Degree adverbs go before an adjective or feeling verb to say how strong the quality is. At HSK 4 the new ones are 十分 (very), 极其 (extremely, written), 稍微 (slightly) and 格外 (especially). It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 程度副词 (Degree adverbs) in a sentence?
这道数学题稍微有点难，但我还是做出来了。 — Zhè dào shù xué tí shāo wēi yǒu diǎn nán, dàn wǒ hái shi zuò chū lái le. — This math problem is slightly difficult, but I still managed to solve it. 稍微 (slightly) + 有点 (a bit) — both weaken the adjective 难; 稍微 can pair with 有点.
What do you need to know before 程度副词 (Degree adverbs)?
Degree Adverbs (HSK 3). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What does 程度副词 (Degree adverbs) lead to?
Degree, Scope and Time Adverbs (HSK 6), Multiple Adverbials (HSK 5). Each of them names 程度副词 (Degree adverbs) among its own prerequisites.
Which is stronger, 十分 or 极其?
极其 is stronger. 十分 equals "very", while 极其 equals "extremely". 极其 also sounds written: 这个问题极其复杂.
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.
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