Simple "noun + adjective" sentences

In English, nouns can be linked to adjectives and other nouns with the verb to be. In Chinese, nouns are linked in different ways to adjectives and other nouns. Nouns are linked to nouns with 是 (shì). Nouns are linked to adjectives with 很 (hěn).

Structure

Noun + 很 + Adjective

The noun in this structure is the subject of the sentence. Sometimes the 很 (hěn) in this structure is translated as "very", but often it is just a way to link a noun to an adjective.

Examples

In the following examples, 很 (hěn) is just a link, and the sentences could be translated as "(Noun) is (adjective)".

• 我 很 好 。 Wǒ hěn hǎo. I'm good.
• 她 很 高 。 Tā hěn gāo. She's tall.
• 他 很 高兴 。 Tā hěn gāoxìng. He is happy.
• 你 很 好看 。 Nǐ hěn hǎokàn. You are good-looking.
• 大象 很 大 。 Dàxiàng hěn dà. The elephant is big.
• 猫 很 小 。 Māo hěn xiǎo. The cat is small.
• 他 很 坏 。 Tā hěn huài. He's bad.
• 我 家 的 狗 很 聪明 。 Wǒ jiā de gǒu hěn cōngming. My family's dog is clever.
• 你 很 漂亮 。 Nǐ hěn piàoliang. You are beautiful.
• 中文 很 难 。 Zhōngwén hěn nán. Chinese is difficult.

Remember that 是 (shì) is not used to link adjectives to nouns. This is a classic mistake that almost everyone makes when learning Chinese. Make sure you use 很 (hěn) and not 是 (shì) to link adjectives to nouns, as shown below:

• 他 是高 。Tā shì gāo.
• 他 很高 。 Tā hěn gāo. He is tall.

See also

• Connecting nouns with "shi"

Sources and further reading

Videos

• Yoyo Chinese: "To be" + Adjectives

Books

• Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 56-8) →buy
• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 44-5) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 126-8)　→buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 20-1, 143) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 23, 166, 249) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 86)→buy