Expressing "excessively" with "tai"
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Used for
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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, or can colloquially express the meaning of so or very. Note that in Chinese, you can say "太好了 (tài hǎo le)" which just means "very good" (whereas in English the phrase "too good" sometimes makes it sound like there's reason for suspicion).
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 at 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.
- 这 个 女孩 太 漂亮 了 。 This girl is so pretty.
- 你 太 好 了 。 You are so great.
- 他 太 帅 了 。 He is very handsome.
- 小猫 太 可爱 了 ！ The kitten is sooo cute!
- 你 的 孩子 太 聪明 了 。 Your kids are 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 (xǐhuān), 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"
