Degree Adverbs: 过于、尤其、稍微
过于 (excessively), 尤其 (especially) and 稍微 (slightly) are degree adverbs that go before an adjective or verb. They set the level at three different points, from too much for 过于 to a small amount for 稍微.
In English
These three adverbs set the degree of something. 过于 means "too much" and signals an unwanted excess, mostly in writing: 过于小心 is being overly careful. 尤其 picks out one standout from a group you have already named, as in 我喜欢运动，尤其是游泳.
稍微 means "a little" and softens a change or a quality, often with 一点, 一些 or 有点. Keep the three apart by feeling: 过于 is too much, 尤其 is most of all, and 稍微 is only a little.
| 副词 | 意思 | 用法要点 |
|------|------|----------|
| 过于 guò yú | too / excessively | 书面语，隐含'过头、带来负面结果'；常与反而/导致搭配 |
| 尤其 yóu qí | especially | 从一组事物中挑出最突出的一个：喜欢A，尤其喜欢B |
| 稍微 shāo wēi | slightly | 减弱程度，常与'一点/一些/有点'搭配 |
✅ 他做事过于小心，反而错过了机会。（过度→负面结果）
✅ 我喜欢运动，尤其是游泳。（从范围中挑出重点）
✅ 声音稍微调小一点。（轻微调整）
注意区分：过于 = 太多（负面）；尤其 = 特别指出一个；稍微 = 一点点。
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 他这个人太过于小心了，做什么事都要检查好几遍。 | Tā zhè ge rén tài guò yú xiǎo xīn le, zuò shén me shì dōu yào jiǎn chá hǎo jǐ biàn. | This person is too overly cautious — he checks everything several times no matter what he does. | 过于 + adjective describes excessive degree, often with a mildly critical tone. |
| 我喜欢很多运动，尤其是游泳。 | Wǒ xǐ huan hěn duō yùn dòng, yóu qí shì yóu yǒng. | I like many sports, especially swimming. | 尤其(是) singles out the most notable item from a broader group already mentioned. |
| 今天天气稍微有点冷，你多穿件衣服吧。 | Jīn tiān tiān qì shāo wēi yǒu diǎn lěng, nǐ duō chuān jiàn yī fu ba. | It's a bit cold today, so put on an extra layer. | 稍微 + 有点 softens the degree — a common collocation for mild understatement. |
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.
过于 (guò yú)
Means "too much" and carries a negative feeling, mostly in writing.
Structure: 过于 + adjective or verb phrase
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你过于担心了，事情没有那么严重。 | Nǐ guò yú dān xīn le, shì qíng méi yǒu nà me yán zhòng. | You are worrying too much. It is not that serious. |
| 这个计划过于复杂，普通人很难看懂。 | Zhè gè jì huà guò yú fù zá, pǔ tōng rén hěn nán kàn dǒng. | This plan is too complicated for ordinary people to understand. |
| 他对孩子的要求过于严格，孩子压力很大。 | Tā duì hái zi de yāo qiú guò yú yán gé, hái zi yā lì hěn dà. | He is too strict with his child, and the child is under a lot of pressure. |
Not: 我过于喜欢这件衣服。 过于 means "to an unwanted excess", so it does not suit a happy feeling. Use 特别 or 非常 for a plain "very".
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, adverbs (程度副词).
尤其 (yóu qí)
Picks out the most outstanding item from a group already mentioned.
Structure: General statement，尤其(是) + the standout
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我爱吃水果，尤其爱吃芒果。 | Wǒ ài chī shuǐ guǒ, yóu qí ài chī máng guǒ. | I love fruit, especially mangoes. |
| 北京的秋天很美，尤其是香山的红叶。 | Běi jīng de qiū tiān hěn měi, yóu qí shì xiāng shān de hóng yè. | Autumn in Beijing is beautiful, especially the red leaves on Fragrant Hill. |
| 这几天天气不好，尤其是昨天，下了一整天的大雨。 | Zhè jǐ tiān tiān qì bù hǎo, yóu qí shì zuó tiān, xià le yì zhěng tiān de dà yǔ. | The weather has been bad these days, especially yesterday, when it poured all day. |
Not: 尤其我喜欢游泳。 尤其 needs a general statement first and then the standout item: 我喜欢运动，尤其喜欢游泳。
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, adverbs (程度副词).
稍微 (shāo wēi)
Means "a little", and softens the degree of a change or a quality.
Structure: 稍微 + adjective or verb + 一点 / 一些 / 有点
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 请你稍微等一下，我马上就来。 | Qǐng nǐ shāo wēi děng yí xià, wǒ mǎ shàng jiù lái. | Please wait a moment. I will be right there. |
| 这件衣服稍微有点大，能换小一号的吗？ | Zhè jiàn yī fú shāo wēi yǒu diǎn dà, néng huàn xiǎo yí hào de ma? | This piece is a little big. Can I swap it for a smaller size? |
| 音乐声稍微小一点，孩子在睡觉。 | Yīn yuè shēng shāo wēi xiǎo yì diǎn, hái zi zài shuì jiào. | Turn the music down a bit. The child is sleeping. |
Not: 他稍微很高。 稍微 works with 一点, 一些, 有点 or a small action, not with 很. Say 他稍微高一点。
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, adverbs (程度副词).
稍微 is also explained in: Degree adverbs: 十分/极其/稍微/格外 (HSK 4).
Compared side by side: 过于 vs 太.
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 4
Questions about Degree Adverbs
What does 程度副词 (Degree Adverbs) mean in Chinese?
过于 (excessively), 尤其 (especially) and 稍微 (slightly) are degree adverbs that go before an adjective or verb. They set the level at three different points, from too much for 过于 to a small amount for 稍微. It is an HSK 5 grammar point.
How do you use 程度副词 (Degree Adverbs) in a sentence?
他这个人太过于小心了，做什么事都要检查好几遍。 — Tā zhè ge rén tài guò yú xiǎo xīn le, zuò shén me shì dōu yào jiǎn chá hǎo jǐ biàn. — This person is too overly cautious — he checks everything several times no matter what he does. 过于 + adjective describes excessive degree, often with a mildly critical tone.
What do you need to know before 程度副词 (Degree Adverbs)?
Degree adverbs (HSK 4). 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). Each of them names 程度副词 (Degree Adverbs) among its own prerequisites.
What is the difference between 过于 and 太?
Both mean "too". 太 is spoken and can also mean "so good", as in 太好了. 过于 is written and always means "to excess": 过于紧张 is a problem, not a compliment.
Does 尤其 need 是?
No, 尤其 and 尤其是 are both fine. Before a noun you usually say 尤其是: 我喜欢音乐，尤其是爵士乐。 Before a verb, 尤其 alone is enough.
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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