Expressing "excessively" with "tai"
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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
