Advanced degree complements

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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 lǎopo 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 得 不得了Tīngshuō érzi yòu gēn tóngxué dǎjià le, bàba 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 得 要命Jīntiān lùshang de yàomìng!The traffic is terrible!
  • 地铁 得 要命Dìtiě de yàomìng!The metro is so crowded!
  • 我 的 牙 得 不 行Wǒ de yá tòng de bùxíng!My teeth hurt so badly!
  • 外面 得 不 行Wàimiàn 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

HSK5