Describing & degree

Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.

Adjective + extremely极了jí le (extremely)

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī is not enough

• Your friend has cooked for you, and the food is far better than "quite good".
• this这个zhè gevegetable菜càito be fond of eating好吃hǎo chīextremely极了jí le！ – "This dish is absolutely delicious!" extremely极了jí le pushes the adjective to its top degree.

Put extremely极了jí le after the adjective

• Subject + Adjective + extremely极了jí le: the adjective comes first and extremely极了jí le closes the clause.
• The adjective stands alone in front of extremely极了jí le, so degree / adjective linker很hěn and very非常fēi cháng drop out: 好极了hǎo jí le, cold冷lěngextremely极了jí le, busy忙mángextremely极了jí le.

today今天jīn tiānhot热rèextremely极了jí le。

Feelings work the same way

• Feeling words take extremely极了jí le too: to hear听到tīng dàothis这个zhè genews消息xiāo xī，I / me我wǒhappy高兴gāo xìngextremely极了jí le。 – "When I heard the news, I was overjoyed."
• A few feeling verbs also accept it: I / me我wǒto like喜欢xǐ huanextremely极了jí le。 – "I absolutely love it."

finish the exam考完kǎo wánafter以后yǐ hòu，I我wǒtired累lèiextremely极了jí le。

Two places it goes wrong

• No degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng in front: say 好极了hǎo jí le, not degree / adjective linker很hěn好极了hǎo jí le, because extremely极了jí le already carries the degree.
• extremely极了jí le never comes before the adjective: cold冷lěngextremely极了jí le, not extremely极了jí lecold冷lěng.

degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj, very非常fēi cháng + Adj and Adj + extremely极了jí le

• degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj is the neutral description (weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo); very非常fēi cháng + Adj is strong and fits writing as well as speech.
• Adj + extremely极了jí le is spoken and exclamatory, often a reaction: A: outside (also pr. for this…外面wài miàncold冷lěng(yes/no ?)吗ma？ B: cold冷lěngextremely极了jí le！

outside外面wài miàncold冷lěng吗ma？cold冷lěngextremely极了jí le！

Recap

• Adjective + extremely极了jí le = extremely, absolutely; it ends the clause.
• No degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng before it. Use it to react with feeling, mostly in speech.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Doubling adjectives (AA / AABB)

Describing a picture in a lively way

• You are describing a child's drawing: big eyes, a round face, a very tidy room.
• she / her她tāto have / there is有yǒu一双yī shuāng大大的dà dà deeye眼睛yǎn jīng。 – "She has big, big eyes." Doubling the adjective paints a vivid picture.

One-syllable adjectives: AA

• A one-syllable adjective repeats as AA, usually followed by (modifier / structural particle)的de before a noun: 大大的dà dà deeye眼睛yǎn jīng, 红红的hóng hóng deapple苹果píng guǒ.
• The second syllable is often said lightly; the tone of the first stays clear.

she她tāhas有yǒua pair of一双yì shuāngbig, big大大的dà dà deeyes眼睛yǎn jing。

Two-syllable adjectives: AABB

• A two-syllable adjective AB doubles each syllable: clean干净gān jìng → 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng, happy高兴gāo xìng → cheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng, clear清楚qīng chǔ → 清清楚楚qīng qīng chǔ chǔ.
• The doubled form can describe a noun or an action: room房间fáng jiān干干净净gān gān jìng jìng(modifier / structural particle)的de / he / him他tācheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng(adverb -ly)地deto return home回家huí jiā(completed / change)了le。

he他tā把bǎroom房间fáng jiāncleaned打扫dǎ sǎo得despotlessly clean干干净净gān gān jìng jìng的de。

What doubling already says

• No degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng in front: 大大的dà dà deeye眼睛yǎn jīng, not degree / adjective linker很hěn大大的dà dà deeye眼睛yǎn jīng, because doubling already adds the degree.
• The common adjectives taught here use AABB, as in 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng. Some other adjectives allow ABAB, so learn each adjective and its accepted reduplicated form.

Doubled adjectives describe, they do not compare

• Doubled forms describe how something looks or feels; they do not take not不bù: say not不bùclean干净gān jìng, not not不bù干干净净gān gān jìng jìng.
• Many are fixed habits of speech. Learn common ones as chunks: slowly慢慢màn màn(adverb -ly)地deto walk走zǒu, well好好hǎo hǎo(adverb -ly)地derest休息xiū xī, cheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng地玩dì wán。

you你nǐproperly好好hǎo hǎorest休息xiū xi吧ba。

Recap

• One syllable: AA((modifier / structural particle)的de) – 大大的dà dà de, 红红的hóng hóng de. Two syllables: AABB – 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng, cheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng.
• Doubling adds vividness and degree, so drop degree / adjective linker很hěn and do not negate it with not不bù.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb (making an adverb)

How did they do it?

• Your grandmother crosses the busy road carefully; your little brother does his homework seriously for once.
• (informal) grandma…奶奶nǎi nǎislowly慢慢màn màn(adverb -ly)地deto walk past走过zǒu guòstreet马路mǎ lù。 – "Grandma slowly walks across the road." (adverb -ly)地de turns a description into how the action is done.

Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb

• Subject + Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb: the description comes before the verb and (adverb -ly)地de (de) links them.
• Two-syllable adjectives are the most common: conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto learn学习xué xí, happy高兴gāo xìng地说dì shuō, quiet安静ān jìng(adverb -ly)地deto read看书kàn shū.

he他tāseriously认真rèn zhēn地destudy学习xué xí。

Doubled and phrase descriptions

• Doubled adjectives often take (adverb -ly)地de: child孩子hái zi(plural)们mencheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng(adverb -ly)地deto return home回家huí jiā(completed / change)了le。 – "The children went home happily."
• A short phrase works too: 很快hěn kuài(adverb -ly)地devariant of 吃吃chīto finish完wán(completed / change)了lecooked rice饭fàn, very非常fēi chángto be careful小心xiǎo xīn(adverb -ly)地deto open打开dǎ kāibox盒子hé zi.

the children孩子们hái zi menhappily高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng地dego home回家huí jiā了le。

Keep the order and the character straight

• (adverb -ly)地de comes before the verb: conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto learn学习xué xí. After the verb you need (degree marker)得de: 他学得tā xué dédegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn.
• Write (adverb -ly)地de, not (modifier / structural particle)的de, between the description and the verb; both are read de.

(adverb -ly)地de before the verb, (degree marker)得de after it

• he / him他tāconscientious认真rèn zhēn地写dì xiěschool assignment作业zuò yè tells how he does it: carefully, while doing it.
• he / him他tāto write写xiě(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn comments on the result or manner after the fact: "He writes very carefully."

he他tāwrites写xiě得devery很hěncarefully认真rèn zhēn。

Recap

• Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb = do something in that way: slowly慢慢màn màn(adverb -ly)地deto walk走zǒu, conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto learn学习xué xí.
• (adverb -ly)地de sits before the verb; (degree marker)得de follows the verb. Keep (modifier / structural particle)的de for nouns.

Practise this pattern step by step.

so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective (so …)

It really is that hot

• You step outside in July and it is much hotter than you expected.
• today今天jīn tiānhow / why怎么zěn meso much这么zhè meto warm up热rè！ – "How come it is so hot today!" so much这么zhè me points to the degree you are feeling right now.

so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective

• so much这么zhè me + Adj = "so …" about something here and now; like that那么nà me + Adj = "so …" about something over there, earlier or mentioned.
• Like degree / adjective linker很hěn, they stand directly before the adjective: so much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì, like that那么nà meto distance oneself from…远yuǎn.

this这zhè(measure word)件jiànclothes衣服yī fuso这么zhè meexpensive贵guì。

Near and far

• Holding the shoes: 这双鞋zhè shuāng xiéso much这么zhè mecheap便宜pián yi！ – "These shoes are so cheap!"
• Talking about a city you visited: there那儿nà ér(modifier / structural particle)的dewinter冬天dōng tiānlike that那么nà mecold冷lěng，you你nǐhow / why怎么zěn meto put up with受得了shòu dé le？ – "The winters there are so cold; how do you stand it?"

you你nǐhome家jiāso那么nà mefar远yuǎn，every day每天měi tiānhow怎么zěn mecome来lái？

Keep one degree word

• Do not add degree / adjective linker很hěn as well: so much这么zhè meto warm up热rè, not so much这么zhè medegree / adjective linker很hěnto warm up热rè, since so much这么zhè me already gives the degree.
• Place so much这么zhè me or like that那么nà me before the adjective, not after it: like that那么nà meto distance oneself from…远yuǎn, not to distance oneself from…远yuǎnlike that那么nà me.

Also in comparisons

• like that那么nà me often sharpens a not have / haven't没有méi yǒu comparison: I / me我wǒnot have / haven't没有méi yǒuhe / him他tālike that那么nà mehigh高gāo。 – "I am not as tall as him."
• so much这么zhè me can also go before a verb of degree: you你nǐhow / why怎么zěn meso much这么zhè meto like喜欢xǐ huanvariant of 吃吃chīhot (spicy)辣là(modifier / structural particle)的de？

I我wǒnot as没有méi yǒuhim他tāso那么nà metall高gāo。

Recap

• so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective = "so …": so much这么zhè me for here and now, like that那么nà me for there, then or what was mentioned.
• It replaces degree / adjective linker很hěn; it often comes with how / why怎么zěn me (surprise) or not have / haven't没有méi yǒu (comparison).

Practise this pattern step by step.

A with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (the same as)

Twins in the same class

• Two classmates are exactly the same height, and a new teacher keeps mixing them up.
• older brother哥哥gē gēwith / and跟gēnyounger brother弟弟dì disame一样yī yànghigh高gāo。 – "The older brother is as tall as the younger brother."

A with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (+ Adjective)

• A + with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé + B + same一样yī yàng = "A is the same as B"; add an adjective to say in what way: same一样yī yànghigh高gāo, same一样yī yàngbusy忙máng.
• with / and跟gēn and and / with和hé both work here; with / and跟gēn is a little more common in speech.

my我wǒ的dephone手机shǒu jīand跟gēnyours你nǐ的dethe same一样yí yàng。

The same as, but not the same

• Negate by putting not不bù before same一样yī yàng: I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deway of thinking想法xiǎng fǎwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denot不bùsame一样yī yàng。 – "My idea is different from yours."
• Ask with (yes/no ?)吗ma or same一样yī yàngnot不bùsame一样yī yàng: Beijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng(modifier / structural particle)的dewinter冬天dōng tiānwith / and跟gēnShanghai municipality…上海shàng hǎi(modifier / structural particle)的desame一样yī yàngcold冷lěng(yes/no ?)吗ma？

today今天jīn tiānand跟gēnyesterday昨天zuó tiānequally一样yí yàngcold冷lěng。

Where not不bù and degree / adjective linker很hěn go

• not不bù goes before same一样yī yàng: with / and跟gēnhe / him他tānot不bùsame一样yī yàng, not not不bùwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāsame一样yī yàng for "different from him".
• No degree / adjective linker很hěn before the adjective after same一样yī yàng: same一样yī yànghigh高gāo, not same一样yī yàngdegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāo.

same一样yī yàng versus than / compared to比bǐ

• same一样yī yàng says the two are equal; than / compared to比bǐ says one is more: older brother哥哥gē gēthan / compared to比bǐyounger brother弟弟dì dihigh高gāo ("taller than").
• same一样yī yàng can also describe a noun with (modifier / structural particle)的de: we / us我们wǒ mento buy买mǎi(completed / change)了lesame一样yī yàng(modifier / structural particle)的declothes衣服yī fú。 – "We bought the same clothes."

we我们wǒ menbought买mǎi了lethe same一样yí yàng的declothes衣服yī fu。

Recap

• A with / and跟gēn/and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (+ Adj) = A is (as Adj as) B. Negative: A with / and跟gēn B not不bùsame一样yī yàng.
• The adjective after same一样yī yàng stays bare; same一样yī yàng(modifier / structural particle)的de + noun = the same thing.

Practise this pattern step by step.

again又yòu … again又yòu … (both … and …)

A good buy

• You found a jacket that looks great and costs very little, and you want to say both at once.
• 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúagain又yòucheap便宜pián yiagain又yòugood-looking好看hǎo kàn。 – "This jacket is both cheap and good-looking."

again又yòu + A + again又yòu + B

• Subject + again又yòu + Adj/Verb + again又yòu + Adj/Verb: each again又yòu sits directly before its own description.
• The two qualities point the same way, both good or both bad: 又快又好yòu kuài yòu hǎo, again又yòurope累lèiagain又yòuto be hungry饿è.

I我wǒboth又yòutired累lèiand又yòuhungry饿è。

Actions as well as qualities

• Verb phrases fit too: child孩子hái zi(plural)们menagain又yòuto sing唱chàngagain又yòuto jump跳tiào。 – "The children sang and danced."
• Use it to describe a person or place with two clear features: she / her她tā(modifier / structural particle)的deroom房间fáng jiānagain又yòusee 大夫大dàagain又yòuclean干净gān jìng。

the children孩子们hái zi menboth又yòusing唱chàngand又yòudance跳tiào。

Keep the two halves matched

• Use two qualities with the same direction: again又yòucheap便宜pián yiagain又yòugood-looking好看hǎo kàn is natural; again又yòucheap便宜pián yiagain又yòuugly难看nán kàn sounds odd unless you are joking.
• No degree / adjective linker很hěn inside the pattern: 又高又大yòu gāo yòu dà, not again又yòudegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāoagain又yòu很大hěn dà.

again又yòu…again又yòu… versus also也yě and and / with和hé

• and / with和hé cannot join two adjectives in a predicate: say again又yòucheap便宜pián yiagain又yòugood-looking好看hǎo kàn, not cheap便宜pián yiand / with和hégood-looking好看hǎo kàn.
• again又yòu…again又yòu… stresses that both features are present at the same time; degree / adjective linker很hěncheap便宜pián yi，also也yědegree / adjective linker很hěngood-looking好看hǎo kàn lists them one after another.

here这儿zhèr的defood菜càivery很hěncheap便宜pián yi，also也yěvery很hěntasty好吃hǎo chī。

Recap

• again又yòu A again又yòu B = both A and B, at the same time. Each again又yòu goes before its own adjective or verb.
• Pick two qualities that point the same way, and leave out degree / adjective linker很hěn.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Subject + fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adjective (fairly, rather)

Not great, not terrible

• A friend asks how your new job is. It is fine, but you would not call it amazing.
• to work工作gōng zuò比较忙bǐ jiào máng，but不过bú guòcolleague同事tóng shìall / both都dōudegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo。 – "The work is fairly busy, but my colleagues are all nice."

fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adjective

• Subject + fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adj = "fairly, rather, relatively": fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoexpensive贵guì, fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàodifficult / hard难nán, fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoto distance oneself from…远yuǎn.
• Here fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào is an adverb of degree, so it takes the place of degree / adjective linker很hěn; there is no second thing being compared.

this这zhè(measure word)个gequestion问题wèn tífairly比较bǐ jiàodifficult难nán。

A softer way to answer

• Answering "Is the restaurant far?": fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoto distance oneself from…远yuǎn，we / us我们wǒ mento take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē(suggestion)吧ba。 – "It's rather far; let's take a taxi."
• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào also goes before some verbs of liking: I / me我wǒfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoto like喜欢xǐ huanto drink tea喝茶hē chá。 – "I prefer tea (I like tea more)."

I我wǒrather比较bǐ jiàolike喜欢xǐ huandrinking喝hētea茶chá。

Do not combine it with than / compared to比bǐ

• In a than / compared to比bǐ comparison, fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào cannot appear before the adjective: he / him他tāthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒhigh高gāo, not he / him他tāthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàohigh高gāo.
• Do not stack it with degree / adjective linker很hěn: 比较忙bǐ jiào máng, not degree / adjective linker很hěn比较忙bǐ jiào máng or fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàodegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng.

fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào as a verb

• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào can also be a verb meaning "to compare": we / us我们wǒ menfairly / rather比较bǐ jiào(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xiàthis这zhè两个liǎng gècell phone手机shǒu jī。 – "Let's compare these two phones."
• Tell them apart by position: before an adjective it means "fairly"; with an object it means "compare".

we我们wǒ mencompare比较bǐ jiàobriefly一下yí xiàthese这zhètwo两个liǎng gephones手机shǒu jī。

Recap

• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adj = fairly, rather; it replaces degree / adjective linker很hěn and gives a moderate answer.
• It never goes inside a than / compared to比bǐ sentence. With an object, fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào is the verb "compare".

Practise this pattern step by step.

many多duō + Adjective + (exclamation)啊a! (how …!)

The view from the top

• You reach the top of a mountain and the whole city lies below you.
• here这儿zhè ér(modifier / structural particle)的descenery风景fēng jǐngmany多duōbeautiful美měi(exclamation)啊a！ – "How beautiful the view is here!"

many多duō + Adjective + (exclamation)啊a！

• many多duō + Adj + (exclamation)啊a is an exclamation: "How … !" many多duō goes before the adjective and (exclamation)啊a closes the sentence.
• The adjective stands alone: 多好duō hǎo(exclamation)啊a, 多快duō kuài(exclamation)啊a, many多duōadorable可爱kě ài(exclamation)啊a.

your你nǐ的dedaughter女儿nǚ érhow多duōcute可爱kě ài啊a！

Sharing a feeling

• Admiring: you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wénvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得demany多duōgood好hǎo(exclamation)啊a！ – "How well you speak Chinese!"
• Complaining works too: today今天jīn tiān多热duō rè(exclamation)啊a！ – "How hot it is today!"

today今天jīn tiānhow多duōhot热rè啊a！

Exclaim, do not ask

• No degree / adjective linker很hěn inside: many多duōbeautiful美měi(exclamation)啊a, not many多duōdegree / adjective linker很hěnbeautiful美měi(exclamation)啊a; many多duō already carries the degree.
• Keep (exclamation)啊a and the exclamation mark. Without them, many多duō + Adj often becomes a question: 多远duō yuǎn？ – "How far is it?"

many多duō…(exclamation)啊a versus too太tài…(completed / change)了le

• too太tài + Adj + (completed / change)了le also reacts strongly: too太tàibeautiful美měi(completed / change)了le！ It is common and often means "too": 太贵tài guì(completed / change)了le.
• many多duō + Adj + (exclamation)啊a is warmer and more admiring; it suits praise and wonder.

this这zhè(measure word)件jiànclothes衣服yī futoo太tàiexpensive贵guì了le！

Recap

• many多duō + Adj + (exclamation)啊a！ = How … ! An exclamation of admiration or strong feeling.
• Bare adjective, no degree / adjective linker很hěn; without (exclamation)啊a and "！", many多duō + Adj can be a question about amount.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adjective + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun (describing a noun)

Which one is yours?

• At the station a lost-property officer asks which bag is yours. You need more than "a bag".
• I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deto be / is是shìthat那个nà gered (color)红色hóng sè(modifier / structural particle)的de大包dà bāo。 – "Mine is that big red bag."

Adjective + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun

• Adj + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun: the description comes first and (modifier / structural particle)的de links it to the noun: pretty漂亮piào liàng(modifier / structural particle)的deflower花huā, interesting有意思yǒu yì si(modifier / structural particle)的debook书shū.
• Two-syllable adjectives and adjectives with degree / adjective linker很hěn usually need (modifier / structural particle)的de: degree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的defriend朋友péng yǒu, clean干净gān jìng(modifier / structural particle)的deroom房间fáng jiān.

she她tāis是shìa一yí(measure word)个gevery很hěnclever聪明cōng ming的destudent学生xué sheng。

Short fixed pairs drop (modifier / structural particle)的de

• Many one-syllable adjectives join the noun directly: good person好人hǎo rén, 新车xīn chē, major city大城市dà chéng shì, black tea红茶hóng chá.
• These pairs act like single words. Adding (modifier / structural particle)的de makes the description more contrastive: 我要wǒ yàonew新xīn(modifier / structural particle)的de, don't不要bú yàoold旧jiù(modifier / structural particle)的de.

Beijing北京Běi jīngis是shìa一yí(measure word)个gebig大dàcity城市chéng shì。

When (modifier / structural particle)的de is needed

• Keep (modifier / structural particle)的de after degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj: degree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的defriend朋友péng yǒu, not degree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎofriend朋友péng yǒu.
• The description goes before the noun, never after: pretty漂亮piào liàng(modifier / structural particle)的declothes衣服yī fú, not clothes衣服yī fúpretty漂亮piào liàng(modifier / structural particle)的de (that is a separate sentence pattern).

Leaving the noun out

• When the noun is clear, Adj + (modifier / structural particle)的de can stand alone: I / me我wǒto like喜欢xǐ huanred红hóng(modifier / structural particle)的de。 – "I like the red one."
• This is common in shops and choices: see 大夫大dà(modifier / structural particle)的deor / still还是hái shìsmall小xiǎo(modifier / structural particle)的de？ – "The big one or the small one?"

you你nǐwant要yàobig大dà的deor还是hái shismall小xiǎo的de？

Recap

• Adj + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun describes a noun; the description always comes first.
• degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj and most two-syllable adjectives need (modifier / structural particle)的de; common one-syllable pairs (good person好人hǎo rén, 新车xīn chē) do not. Adj + (modifier / structural particle)的de alone = "the … one".

Practise this pattern step by step.

more and more越来越yuè lái yuè (more and more)

The city keeps changing

• You go back to your hometown after five years: more cars, more tall buildings, more people.
• I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的dehometown家乡jiā xiāngmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèpretty漂亮piào liàng(completed / change)了le。 – "My hometown is getting more and more beautiful."

more and more越来越yuè lái yuè + Adjective

• Subject + more and more越来越yuè lái yuè + Adj (+ (completed / change)了le) = "more and more …": a quality keeps growing over time.
• (completed / change)了le at the end is common because the sentence reports a change: weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng(completed / change)了le。

the weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng了le。

Feelings and abilities that grow

• Feeling verbs fit too: I / me我wǒmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèto like喜欢xǐ huanthis这个zhè gecity城市chéng shì(completed / change)了le。 – "I like this city more and more."
• So do verbs of ability with an object: he / him他tāmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècan / will会huìto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn(completed / change)了le。 – "He is getting better and better at cooking."

I我wǒmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèlike喜欢xǐ huanthis这个zhè gecity城市chéng shì了le。

One degree word only

• No degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng after more and more越来越yuè lái yuè: more and more越来越yuè lái yuègood好hǎo, not more and more越来越yuè lái yuèdegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo.
• more and more越来越yuè lái yuè comes after the subject and before the adjective: he / him他tāmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèhigh高gāo, not more and more越来越yuè lái yuèhe / him他tāhigh高gāo.

more and more越来越yuè lái yuè versus to exceed越yuè…to exceed越yuè…

• more and more越来越yuè lái yuè has one quality that grows with time.
• to exceed越yuè A to exceed越yuè B links two things: the more A, the more B: 雨越yǔ yuèdown下xiàto exceed越yuèsee 大夫大dà – "The rain is getting heavier and heavier (the longer it rains)."

the rain雨yǔthe more越yuèfalls下xiàthe more越yuèheavy大dà。

Recap

• more and more越来越yuè lái yuè + Adj (+ (completed / change)了le) = more and more …, a change over time.
• Bare adjective after it, no degree / adjective linker很hěn; feeling verbs such as to like喜欢xǐ huan also work.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Practice without the models

Choose a pattern, cover its teaching examples, and attempt its questions. Use the labels to find feedback in the separate key.

Adjective + extremely极了jí le (extremely)

0101.1 Complete the reaction to a great film: this这个zhè gemovie电影diàn yǐnggood-looking好看hǎo kàn…………！

0101.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěn好极了hǎo jí le。
• B. weather天气tiān qìvery非常fēi cháng好极了hǎo jí le。
• C. weather天气tiān qìextremely极了jí legood好hǎo。
• D. weather天气tiān qì好极了hǎo jí le。

0101.3 A friend asks outside (also pr. for this…外面wài miàncold冷lěng(yes/no ?)吗ma？ Replying cold冷lěngextremely极了jí le！ is natural spoken Chinese.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0101.4 Build: “I was overjoyed when I heard the news.”

Arrange all chunks: extremely极了jí le。 / to hear听到tīng dàothis这个zhè genews消息xiāo xī， / I / me我wǒ / happy高兴gāo xìng

0101.5 Your friend has cooked for you, and the food is far better than "quite good". Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Doubling adjectives (AA / AABB)

0102.1 Double clear清楚qīng chǔ (clear): teacher老师lǎo shī(把: marks the object)把bǎquestion问题wèn tívariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得de…………(modifier / structural particle)的de。

0102.2 Which phrase is correct?

• A. 红红的hóng hóng deapple苹果píng guǒ
• B. not不bù红红的hóng hóng deapple苹果píng guǒ
• C. degree / adjective linker很hěn红红的hóng hóng deapple苹果píng guǒ
• D. red红hóng红红的hóng hóng deapple苹果píng guǒ

0102.3 Match each adjective to its doubled form.

• 1. happy高兴gāo xìng
• 2. clean干净gān jìng
• 3. slow慢màn
• 4. see 大夫大dà

• A. greatly大大dà dà

• B. 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng

• C. slowly慢慢màn màn

• D. cheerful and optimistic高高兴兴gāo gāo xìng xìng

0102.4 clean干净gān jìng can be doubled as clean干净gān jìngclean干净gān jìng to describe a room.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0102.5 You are describing a child's drawing: big eyes, a round face, a very tidy room. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb (making an adverb)

0103.1 Fill in the particle: she / her她tāquiet安静ān jìng…………to read看书kàn shū。

0103.2 Choose the particle for both blanks: he / him他tāhappy高兴gāo xìng__variant of 说说shuō: “I / me我wǒ考得kǎo dé__degree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo！”

• A. (adverb -ly)地de … (adverb -ly)地de
• B. (modifier / structural particle)的de … (modifier / structural particle)的de
• C. (degree marker)得de … (adverb -ly)地de
• D. (adverb -ly)地de … (degree marker)得de

0103.3 Build: “Grandma walks slowly across the road.”

Arrange all chunks: to walk past走过zǒu guò / (informal) grandma…奶奶nǎi nǎi / street马路mǎ lù / 。 / slowly慢慢màn màn(adverb -ly)地de

0103.4 he / him他tāto learn学习xué xíconscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地de。 is a correct way to say “He studies seriously.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0103.5 Your grandmother crosses the busy road carefully; your little brother does his homework seriously for once. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective (so …)

0104.1 You are holding a heavy suitcase: you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的desuitcase箱子xiāng zihow / why怎么zěn me…………heavy / important重zhòng？

0104.2 A friend describes her hometown far away. Which fits best? “The mountains there are so beautiful.”

• A. there那儿nà ér(modifier / structural particle)的demountain山shānso much这么zhè me很漂亮hěn piào liàng。
• B. there那儿nà ér(modifier / structural particle)的demountain山shāndegree / adjective linker很hěnlike that那么nà mepretty漂亮piào liàng。
• C. there那儿nà ér(modifier / structural particle)的demountain山shānpretty漂亮piào liànglike that那么nà me。
• D. there那儿nà ér(modifier / structural particle)的demountain山shānlike that那么nà mepretty漂亮piào liàng。

0104.3 Build: “I am not as tall as him.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒ / he / him他tā / not have / haven't没有méi yǒu / like that那么nà me / high高gāo。

0104.4 so much这么zhè medegree / adjective linker很hěnto warm up热rè is correct because so much这么zhè me and degree / adjective linker很hěn both mean “very”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0104.5 You step outside in July and it is much hotter than you expected. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (the same as)

0105.1 Complete: “This bag costs the same as that one.” this这个zhè geto cover包bāowith / and跟gēnthat那个nà geto cover包bāo…………expensive贵guì。

0105.2 Which says “My answer is different from yours.”?

• A. I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deanswer答案dá ànwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denot / haven't没méisame一样yī yàng。
• B. I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deanswer答案dá ànnot不bùwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的desame一样yī yàng。
• C. I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deanswer答案dá ànwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的desame一样yī yàngnot不bù。
• D. I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deanswer答案dá ànwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denot不bùsame一样yī yàng。

0105.3 Build: “Today is as cold as yesterday.”

Arrange all chunks: same一样yī yàng / today今天jīn tiān / cold冷lěng。 / with / and跟gēnyesterday昨天zuó tiān

0105.4 older brother哥哥gē gēwith / and跟gēnyounger brother弟弟dì disame一样yī yànghigh高gāo means the older brother is taller.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0105.5 Two classmates are exactly the same height, and a new teacher keeps mixing them up. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

again又yòu … again又yòu … (both … and …)

0106.1 Complete: “The noodles here are both tasty and cheap.” here这儿zhè ér(modifier / structural particle)的denoodles面条miàn tiáo…………to be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī…………cheap便宜pián yi。 (write the word that fills both blanks)

0106.2 Which sentence is natural?

• A. he / him他tāagain又yòuhigh高gāoagain又yòu(bound form)…帅shuài。
• B. he / him他tā高和帅gāo hé shuài。
• C. he / him他tāagain又yòudegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāoagain又yòu很帅hěn shuài。
• D. he / him他tāagain又yòu高帅gāo shuài。

0106.3 Build: “Her room is both big and clean.”

Arrange all chunks: again又yòusee 大夫大dà / again又yòuclean干净gān jìng / she / her她tā(modifier / structural particle)的deroom房间fáng jiān / 。

0106.4 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúcheap便宜pián yiand / with和hégood-looking好看hǎo kàn is a correct way to say “This item of clothing is cheap and good-looking.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0106.5 You found a jacket that looks great and costs very little, and you want to say both at once. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Subject + fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adjective (fairly, rather)

0107.1 A moderate answer: “Today is fairly cold.” today今天jīn tiān…………cold冷lěng。

0107.2 Which sentence says “He is taller than me.”?

• A. he / him他tāthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒhigh高gāo。
• B. he / him他tāthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàohigh高gāo。
• C. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒhigh高gāo。
• D. he / him他tāfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoI / me我wǒhigh高gāo。

0107.3 Match each sentence to its meaning.

• 1. 这家zhè jiārestaurant饭馆fàn guǎnfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoexpensive贵guì。
• 2. we / us我们wǒ menfairly / rather比较bǐ jiào(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xiàprice价格jià gé。
• 3. I / me我wǒfairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoto like喜欢xǐ huansummer夏天xià tiān。

• A. Let's compare the prices.

• B. I prefer summer.

• C. This restaurant is rather expensive.

0107.4 Build: “It is rather far; let's take a taxi.”

Arrange all chunks: to take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē(suggestion)吧ba。 / fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàoto distance oneself from…远yuǎn / ， / we / us我们wǒ men

0107.5 A friend asks how your new job is. It is fine, but you would not call it amazing. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

many多duō + Adjective + (exclamation)啊a! (how …!)

0108.1 Exclaim: “How nice the weather is!” weather天气tiān qì…………good好hǎo(exclamation)啊a！

0108.2 Which one asks a question instead of exclaiming?

• A. this这个zhè gepark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuánhow old?多大duō dà？
• B. this这个zhè gepark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuánmany多duōpretty漂亮piào liàng(exclamation)啊a！
• C. this这个zhè gepark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuánhow old?多大duō dà(exclamation)啊a！
• D. here这儿zhè érmany多duōquiet安静ān jìng(exclamation)啊a！

0108.3 Build: “How well you speak Chinese!”

Arrange all chunks: you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wén / variant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得de / (exclamation)啊a！ / 多好duō hǎo

0108.4 many多duō很漂亮hěn piào liàng(exclamation)啊a！ is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0108.5 You reach the top of a mountain and the whole city lies below you. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Adjective + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun (describing a noun)

0109.1 Complete: “He is a very good friend.” he / him他tāto be / is是shìI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo…………friend朋友péng yǒu。

0109.2 Which phrase is correct?

• A. clothes衣服yī fúpretty漂亮piào liàng(modifier / structural particle)的de
• B. pretty漂亮piào liàngdegree / adjective linker很hěn(modifier / structural particle)的declothes衣服yī fú
• C. 很漂亮hěn piào liàng(modifier / structural particle)的declothes衣服yī fú
• D. degree / adjective linker很hěn漂亮衣服piào liàng yī fú

0109.3 In a shop, 我要wǒ yàored红hóng(modifier / structural particle)的de can mean “I want the red one.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0109.4 Build: “This is a very interesting book.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěninteresting有意思yǒu yì si(modifier / structural particle)的de / book书shū。 / 一本yī běn / 这是zhè shì

0109.5 At the station a lost-property officer asks which bag is yours. You need more than "a bag". Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

more and more越来越yuè lái yuè (more and more)

0110.1 Complete: “Your Chinese is getting better and better.” you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wén…………good好hǎo(completed / change)了le。

0110.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. thing东西dōng xīdegree / adjective linker很hěnmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèexpensive贵guì(completed / change)了le。
• B. thing东西dōng xīmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèexpensive贵guì(completed / change)了le。
• C. more and more越来越yuè lái yuèthing东西dōng xīexpensive贵guì(completed / change)了le。
• D. thing东西dōng xīmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèdegree / adjective linker很hěnexpensive贵guì(completed / change)了le。

0110.3 Build: “I like this city more and more.”

Arrange all chunks: this这个zhè gecity城市chéng shì(completed / change)了le。 / more and more越来越yuè lái yuè / I / me我wǒ / to like喜欢xǐ huan

0110.4 more and more越来越yuè lái yuè links two different things, as in “the more you practise, the better you get.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0110.5 You go back to your hometown after five years: more cars, more tall buildings, more people. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A fresh situation

R1. Interpret and repair. A friend loves the meal and says this这个zhè gevegetable菜càidegree / adjective linker很hěnto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chīextremely极了jí le. Repair the degree expression and explain.

R2. Use it yourself. Describe a room becoming quieter and a friend being both kind and patient.

Write your responses before opening the key. Compare meaning as well as form; a different valid answer need not copy the model.