Difference between revisions of "Expressing "excessively" with "tai""
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| − | The simplest structure for expressing ''too'' in the sense of ''excessively'' in Chinese uses the word 太 (tài). | + | The simplest structure for expressing ''too'' in the sense of ''excessively'' in Chinese uses the word 太 (tài). But don't forget 了 at the end of the sentence. |
==Structure== | ==Structure== | ||
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| − | + | * 他 <em>太</em> 重 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">He is too heavy.</span> | |
| − | + | * 我 <em>太</em> 胖 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">I am too fat.</span> | |
| − | + | * 米饭 <em>太</em> 少 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">There is too little rice.</span> | |
| − | + | * 大象 <em>太</em> 大 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">The elephant is too big.</span> | |
| − | + | * 你 <em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">You are "too good" [so great].</span> | |
| − | + | * 他 <em>太</em> 高 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">He is too tall.</span> | |
| − | + | * 小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em>！<span class="expl">The panda is too cute!</span> | |
| − | + | * 老师 <em>太</em> 累 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl"></span> | |
| − | + | * 这 个 人 <em>太</em> 坏 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl"></span> | |
| − | + | * 你们 <em>太</em> 幸福 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl"></span> | |
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with [[Auxiliary verbs|modal verbs]] (e.g. 会, 能) as well as psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢, | + | Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with [[Auxiliary verbs|modal verbs]] (e.g. 会, 能) as well as psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢, 想，爱) to intensify the degree. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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== Sources and Further Reading == | == Sources and Further Reading == | ||
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* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 200) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy] | * [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 200) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy] | ||
Revision as of 09:35, 6 September 2013
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The simplest structure for expressing too in the sense of excessively in Chinese uses the word 太 (tài). But don't forget 了 at the end of the sentence.
Structure
太 + Adjective + 了
As in English, this can express that something really is excessive, or can colloquially express the meaning of so or very. Note that in Chinese, you can say "太好了" which just means "very good" (whereas in English the phrase "too good" sometimes makes it sound like there's reason for suspicion).
Examples
- 他 太 重 了。He is too heavy.
- 我 太 胖 了。I am too fat.
- 米饭 太 少 了。There is too little rice.
- 大象 太 大 了。The elephant is too big.
- 你 太 好 了。You are "too good" [so great].
- 他 太 高 了。He is too tall.
- 小猫 太 可爱 了！The panda is too cute!
- 老师 太 累 了。
- 这 个 人 太 坏 了。
- 你们 太 幸福 了。
Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with modal verbs (e.g. 会, 能) as well as psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢, 想，爱) to intensify the degree.
See also
- "Not very" with "bu tai"
- Positive adjectives with "-ji le"
- The "zui" superlative
- Special verbs with "hen"
Sources and Further Reading
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 200) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 180-1) →buy
