Difference between revisions of "Expressing "excessively" with "tai""
m (Text replacement - "{{HSK|HSK1}}" to "{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}") |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
* 这 个 女孩 <em>太</em> 漂亮 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhège nǚhái <em>tài</em> piàoliang <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">This girl is so pretty.</span> | * 这 个 女孩 <em>太</em> 漂亮 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhège nǚhái <em>tài</em> piàoliang <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">This girl is so pretty.</span> | ||
* 小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em> ！ <span class="pinyin">Xiǎomāo <em>tài</em> kě'ài <em>le</em>!</span><span class="trans">The kitten is so cute!</span> | * 小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em> ！ <span class="pinyin">Xiǎomāo <em>tài</em> kě'ài <em>le</em>!</span><span class="trans">The kitten is so cute!</span> | ||
| − | * 你 的 孩子 <em>太</em> 聪明 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ de háizi <em>tài</em> cōngming <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your | + | * 你 的 孩子 <em>太</em> 聪明 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ de háizi <em>tài</em> cōngming <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your kid is wicked smart.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
== Sources and Further Reading == | == Sources and Further Reading == | ||
| + | {{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|92}} | ||
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|200}} | {{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|200}} | ||
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|180-1}} | {{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|180-1}} | ||
| Line 55: | Line 56: | ||
[[Category:A1 grammar points]] | [[Category:A1 grammar points]] | ||
| + | {{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}} | ||
[[Category:Adverbs]] | [[Category:Adverbs]] | ||
{{Basic Grammar|太|A1|太 + Adj. + 了|<em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em> !|grammar point|ASG8HVFN}} | {{Basic Grammar|太|A1|太 + Adj. + 了|<em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em> !|grammar point|ASG8HVFN}} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:21, 20 April 2021
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
In Chinese, the simplest structure for expressing "too" in the sense of "excessively" is by using the word 太 (tài). Don't forget to also add 了 (le) after the adjective to keep your Chinese sounding natural.
Structure
太 + Adj. + 了
As in English, this can express that something really is excessive (often as a complaint), or can also colloquially express the meaning of "so" or "very."
Examples
The following examples sound a little bit like a complaint, or a reason for not doing something. They're similar to how we would use "too" in English, and the translations are straightforward.
- 米饭 太 多 了 。There is too much rice.
- 现在 太 晚 了 。 Now it's too late.
- 老板 太 忙 了 。 The boss is too busy.
- 老师 太 累 了 。 The teacher is too tired.
- 这个 厕所 太 脏 了 。 This restroom is too dirty.
In the following examples, the same exact pattern is used to exclaim how good something is, so these uses are totally not complaints. The English translations have to get a little more creative to express the same feeling in English.
- 你 太 好 了 。 You are so great.
- 他 太 帅 了 。 He is very handsome.
- 这 个 女孩 太 漂亮 了 。 This girl is so pretty.
- 小猫 太 可爱 了 ！ The kitten is so cute!
- 你 的 孩子 太 聪明 了 。 Your kid is wicked smart.
Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with modal verbs (e.g. 会 (huì), 能 (néng)) as well as psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢 (xǐhuan), 想 (xiǎng), 爱 (ài)) to intensify the degree.
See also
- "Not very" with "bu tai"
- Positive adjectives with "-ji le"
- The "zui" superlative
- Special verbs with "hen"
- Expressing "quite" with "ting"
Sources and Further Reading
- HSK Standard Course 1 (pp. 92) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 200) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 180-1) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|57) →buy
