Expressing "especially" with "gewai"

格外 (géwài) is an adverb that has the same meaning as "especially" or "particularly" in English. You might be wondering what the difference between 格外 (géwài) and 特别 (tèbié) is. Keep in mind that 特别 (tèbié) can be either as an adjective that emphasizes something is "special" or as an adverb that expresses "especially." However, 格外 (géwài) can only be an adverb that emphasizes "especially" and cannot be used as an adjective like 特别 (tèbié) can.

Structure

格外 + verb

Examples

• 下 过 雨的 早晨 格外 舒服. Xiàguò yǔ de zǎochén géwài shūfú.It's especially comfortable on a rainy morning.
• 今天 格外 忙, 都 来不及 吃 午饭. Jīntiān géwài máng,dōu láibují chī wǔfàn.

I was so busy today that I didn't have time to have lunch.

• 昨天 登山 累了, 晚上 睡得 格外 香甜. Zuótiān dēngshān lèile, wǎnshàng shuì dé géwài xiāngtiánI was tired from climbing yesterday, so sleep was especially sweet.
• 去年 孩子 还 很 调皮，但是 今年 格外 懂事.Qùnián hái zǐ huán hěn tiáopí, dànshì jīnnián géwài dǒngshì.Last year he was very naughty, but this year he's very sensible.
• 我 住的 比较 远，所以 到了 晚上 格外 安静. Wǒ zhù de bǐjiào yuǎn, suǒyǐ dàole wǎnshàng géwài ānjìng.I live far away, so it's very quiet at night.
• 今年 的 水果 格外 地 甜. Jīnnián de shuǐguǒ géwài dì tián.This year's fruit is exceptionally sweet.
• 虽然 以前 也 想 家，但是 这 段 时间 格外 想 家. Suīrán yǐqián yě xiǎng jiā, dànshì zhè duàn shíjiān géwài xiǎng jiā.I used to be homesick too, but I'm especially homesick this time of year.
• 老师 对 我们 格外 热情. Lǎoshī duì wǒmen géwài rèqíng.The teacher is very warm to us.
• 今天 的 天气 格外 地 热.Jīntiān de tiānqì géwài dìrè.Today's weather is extremely hot.
• 去 不 安全 的 地方 旅游，一定 要 格外 小心.Qù bù ānquán dì dìfāng lǚyóu, yīdìng yào géwài xiǎoxīn.Be very careful when traveling to unsafe places.

Sources and further reading

Books

• Anything Goes (无所不谈) (pp. 85) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

HSK5