Special verbs with "hen"

Using 很 (hěn) to intensify verbs that express thoughts or feeling is really easy.

Structure

Subj. + 很 + [Certain Verbs] + [General Verbs/Nouns]

Certain verbs in Chinese can be modified with 很 (hěn) to increase their intensity. This similar to using "really" or "very much" in English. This can only be done with psychological verbs, such as:

  • 喜欢 (xǐhuan)
  • 了解 (liạ̌ojiě)
  • 希望 (xīwàng)
  • 讨厌 (tǎoyàn)
  • 失望 (shīwàng)
  • 伤心 (shāngxīn)
  • 满意 (mǎnyì)
  • 想念 (xiǎngniàn)

Examples

  • 你。 hěn xiǎng nǐ. I really miss you.
  • 喜欢 你。 hěn xǐhuan nǐ. He really likes you.
  • 我妹妹 喜欢 说话 。 Wǒ mèimei hěn xǐhuan shuōhuà. My younger sister really likes to talk.
  • 我 的 英语 老师 了解 中国 。 Wǒ de Yīngyǔ lǎoshī hěn liǎojiě Zhōngguó. My English teacher knows a lot about China.
  • 父母 我们 。 Fùmǔ hěn ài wǒmen. My parents really love us.
  • 我 妈妈 希望 我 早 点 回家 。 Wǒ māma hěn xīwàng wǒ zǎo diǎn huíjiā. My mom really hopes I can return home a little earlier.
  • 老外 讨厌 中国 的 公共厕所。 Lǎowài hěn tǎoyàn Zhōngguó de gōnggòng cèsuǒ. Foreigners really hate public toilets in China.
  • 爷爷 的 狗 死 了,他 伤心Yéye de gǒu sǐ le, tā hěn shāngxīn. Grandpa's dog died.He is very sad.
  • 他 没 来, 她 失望Tā méi lái, tā hěn shīwàng. He didn't come, she is very disappointed.
  • 老板 对 我们 的 工作 满意Lǎobǎn duì wǒmen de gōngzuò hěn mǎnyì. Our boss is very satisfied with our work.
  • 想念 我 的 老家 。 hěn xiǎngniàn wǒ de lǎojiā. I really miss my hometown.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books