Difference between revisions of "Expressing "excessively" with "tai""

(specific usage of 坏 in this context is not known by A1 readers)
(kitten... not panda.)
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* 你 <em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">You are "too good" [so great].</span>
 
* 你 <em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">You are "too good" [so great].</span>
 
* 他 <em>太</em> 高 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">He is too tall!</span>
 
* 他 <em>太</em> 高 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">He is too tall!</span>
* 小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em>!<span class="trans">The panda is too cute! / The panda is very cute!</span>
+
* 小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em>!<span class="trans">The kitten is too cute! / The kitten is very cute!</span>
 
* 老师 <em>太</em> 累 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">The teacher is very tired..</span>
 
* 老师 <em>太</em> 累 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">The teacher is very tired..</span>
 
* 你们 <em>太</em> 幸福 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">You all are way too happy.</span>
 
* 你们 <em>太</em> 幸福 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">You all are way too happy.</span>

Revision as of 08:35, 6 December 2013

The simplest structure for expressing too in the sense of excessively in Chinese uses the word 太 (tài). But don't forget 了 at the end of the sentence.

Structure

太 + Adjective + 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" which just means "very good" (whereas in English the phrase "too good" sometimes makes it sound like there's reason for suspicion).

Examples

  • He is too heavy. / He is very heavy.
  • I am too fat. / I am very fat.
  • 米饭 There is too little rice. / There is very little rice.
  • 大象 The elephant is very big.
  • You are "too good" [so great].
  • He is too tall!
  • 小猫 可爱 The kitten is too cute! / The kitten is very cute!
  • 老师 The teacher is very tired..
  • 你们 幸福 You all are way too happy.

Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with modal verbs (e.g. 会, 能) as well as psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢, 想,爱) to intensify the degree.

See also

Sources and Further Reading