Advanced degree complements

There are many ways to express "degree" following a verb. A vast array of words can function as degree complements following verbs, indicating degree and quality. When it comes to degree complements for adjectives, however, options are much more limited.

Common Patterns

You should already know complements -死了 and -极了. The following are some of the other more common degree complements which follow adjectives.

• Adj. + 得 + 很
• Adj. + 得 + 不得了
• Adj. + 得 + 要命
• Adj. + 得 + 不行

Examples

• 这个 孩子 自私 得很 。Zhège háizi zìsī de hěn.This child is super selfish.
• 我 老婆 的 工作 轻松 得很 。Wǒ lǎopó de gōngzuò qīngsōng de hěn.My wife's job is extremely easy and relaxed.
• 我 爸爸 固执 得 不得了 。Wǒ bàba gùzhí de bùdéliǎo.My father is awfully stubborn.
• 赢 了 比赛 以后 ，他 骄傲 得 不得了 。Yíng le bǐsài yǐhòu, tā jiāo'ào de bùdéliǎoHe was terribly proud after he won the competition.
• 听说 儿子 又 跟 同学 打架 了 ，爸爸 气 得 不得了 。Tīngshuō érzi yòu gēn tóngxué dǎjià le, bàba qì de bùdéliǎo.Having heard his son was fighting with his classmate again, the father was incensed.
• 我 儿子 淘气 得 要命 。Wǒ érzi táoqì de yàomìng.My son is incredibly naughty.
• 今天 路上 堵 得 要命 ！Jīntiān lùshang dǔ de yàomìng!The traffic is terrible!
• 地铁 挤 得 要命 ！Dìtiě jǐ de yàomìng!The metro is so crowded!
• 我 的 牙 痛 得 不 行 ！Wǒ de yá tòng de bùxíng!My teeth hurt so badly!
• 外面 热 得 不 行 。Wàimiàn rè de bùxíng.It's awfully hot outside.

For more examples with 得很 and 得不得了, see their respective grammar points.

See also

• Degree complement
• Adjectives with "-ji le"
• Complement "-huai le"

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5