Adjectives

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.

Adj + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le (extremely)

The final whistle

• Your school team has just won the city championship after a penalty shoot-out.
• team member队员duì yuán(plural)们mento move emotionally激动jī dòng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le。 – "The players were beside themselves with excitement."

Adj / feeling verb + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le

• Adj + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le = "extremely, terribly": 热得rè dédesperately serious不得了bù dé le, busy忙máng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le, happy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le.
• (degree marker)得de links the adjective to desperately serious不得了bù dé le (literally "beyond what can be stood"), which ends the clause.

the subway地铁dì tiě(in)里licrowded挤jǐextremely得不得了de bù dé liǎo。

Good and bad extremes

• Bad: today今天jīn tiān热得rè dédesperately serious不得了bù dé le，I / me我wǒerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn éralso也yěunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto go out出门chū mén。 – "It's unbearably hot today; I don't want to go out at all."
• Good: to hear (sth said)听说tīng shuōyou你nǐwant / will / need要yàoto come来lái，child孩子hái zi(plural)们menhappy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le。 – "When they heard you were coming, the children were overjoyed."

the children孩子们hái zi menhappy高兴gāo xìngextremely得不得了de bù dé liǎo。

One degree word, and (degree marker)得de is needed

• No degree / adjective linker很hěn / very非常fēi cháng before the adjective: busy忙máng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le, not degree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le.
• Keep (degree marker)得de: rope累lèi(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le, not rope累lèidesperately serious不得了bù dé le.

desperately serious不得了bù dé le on its own

• Alone, desperately serious不得了bù dé le means "terrible, serious": desperately serious不得了bù dé le(completed / change)了le，to catch fire着火zháo huǒ(completed / change)了le！ – "Oh no, there's a fire!"
• terrific了不得liǎo bù dé is different: "amazing, remarkable": he / him他tāreally真zhēnterrific了不得liǎo bù dé – "He's really something."

terrible不得了bù dé liǎo了le，on fire着火zháo huǒ了le！

Recap

• Adj + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le = extremely (good or bad), spoken; no degree / adjective linker很hěn before it.
• desperately serious不得了bù dé le！ = disaster!; terrific了不得liǎo bù dé = remarkable.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn (very)

Fresh air in the park

• After a week in a smoggy city, you walk in a mountain park.
• here这里zhè lǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deair空气kōng qìfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn。 – "The air here is really fresh."

Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn = very, really

• Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn = "very, really", a little more emphatic and lively than degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj.
• It ends the clause: good好hǎo(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn, clear清楚qīng chǔ(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn, cheap便宜pián yi(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn.

this这张zhè zhāngmap地图dì túclear清楚qīng chuvery得很de hěn。

Confident comments

• he / him他tā(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wéngood好hǎo(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn，you你nǐneed not不用bù yònganxious担心dān xīn。 – "His Chinese is really good; don't worry."
• Said flatly, it can be ironic: good好hǎo(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn，again又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le！ – "Great, late again!"

his他tā的deChinese中文Zhōng wéngood好hǎovery得很de hěn。

degree / adjective linker很hěn after, not before

• Do not add degree / adjective linker很hěn before as well: fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn, not degree / adjective linker很hěnfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn.
• Keep (degree marker)得de: good好hǎo(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn, not good好hǎodegree / adjective linker很hěn.

(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn versus (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le and degree / adjective linker很hěn

• degree / adjective linker很hěnfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān is neutral; fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn is more emphatic; fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le is the strongest.
• Verbs also take a (degree marker)得de complement, but (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn mostly follows adjectives and feeling verbs: he / him他tāto like喜欢xǐ huan(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn.

he他tālikes it喜欢xǐ huanvery much得很de hěn。

Recap

• Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn = very, really (emphatic, spoken).
• Scale: degree / adjective linker很hěn + Adj → Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn → Adj + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adj + (completed / change)了le + (one / a一yī)erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér (a bit too)

A bit too salty

• You taste the soup your roommate made. It's good, but there's slightly too much salt.
• 这汤zhè tāngsalted咸xián(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér。 – "This soup is a bit too salty."

Adj + (completed / change)了le + (one / a一yī)erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér = a bit too …

• Adj + (completed / change)了le + (one / a一yī)erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér = slightly more than wanted: see 大夫大dà(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér (a bit too big), early早zǎo(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér (a bit too early).
• It gently says something is off from the right amount.

this pair of这双zhè shuāngshoes鞋xiébig大dà了lea bit点儿diǎnr。

Polite complaints and comparisons

• 八点bā diǎnto hold a meeting开会kāi huì，to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ来说lái shuōearly早zǎo(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér。 – "A meeting at eight is a little early for me."
• price价格jià géexpensive贵guì(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér，can / be able to能néngcheap便宜pián yierhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "It's a bit expensive; could you make it a bit cheaper?"

the price价格jià géexpensive贵guì了lea bit点儿diǎnr，can能néngcheap便宜pián yia bit一点儿yì diǎnr吗ma？

(completed / change)了le marks "too"

• see 大夫大dà(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér = a bit too big (off from what's needed). see 大夫大dàerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér = a bit bigger (a comparison or request).
• It is mild; for a strong complaint use too太tài…(completed / change)了le: 太咸tài xián(completed / change)了le！

Versus slightly有点儿yǒu diǎn ér + Adj

• slightly有点儿yǒu diǎn érsalted咸xián also means "a bit salty", focusing on the feeling.
• 咸了xián leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér measures against the right amount: just a little past it.

the soup汤tānga bit有点儿yǒu diǎnrsalty咸xián。

Recap

• Adj + (completed / change)了le + (one / a一yī)erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér = a bit too … (slightly past the right amount).
• Adj + erhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér = a bit more (request); too太tài…(completed / change)了le = too … (strong).

Practise this pattern step by step.

have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì + Noun (have plenty of)

Plenty to choose from

• A friend worries she won't find a novel to read on holiday.
• 书架上shū jià shànghave plenty of有的是yǒu de shìnovel小说xiǎo shuō，you你nǐas one wishes随便suí biànvariant of 借借jiè。 – "There are plenty of novels on the shelf; borrow whatever you like."

have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì + Noun = have plenty of

• have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì + noun = "have plenty of, there's no shortage of": have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì(concept of) time时间shí jiān, have plenty of有的是yǒu de shìmeans办法bàn fǎ.
• It reassures: there is more than enough.

don't别biéworry着急zháo jí，we我们wǒ menhave plenty of有的是yǒu de shìtime时间shí jiān。

Topic first, have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì after

• this kind of这种zhè zhǒngthing东西dōng xī，supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shìli, ancient measure of…里lǐhave plenty of有的是yǒu de shì。 – "Things like this – the supermarket has loads."
• he / him他tāhave plenty of有的是yǒu de shìmeans办法bàn fǎ。 – "He has plenty of ways (he'll manage)."

he他tāhas plenty of有的是yǒu de shìways办法bàn fǎ。

Not "some are"

• have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì = plenty; to have / there is有yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的de + noun = some: to have / there is有yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rénto like喜欢xǐ huan – "some people like it". Do not mix them up.
• No 很多hěn duō inside: have plenty of有的是yǒu de shìcoin钱qián, not have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì很多hěn duōcoin钱qián.

have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì versus 很多hěn duō

• to have / there is有yǒu很多hěn duō(concept of) time时间shí jiān is neutral.
• have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì(concept of) time时间shí jiān adds "so don't worry" – the speaker downplays any shortage.

we我们wǒ menhave有yǒua lot of很多hěn duōtime时间shí jiān。

Recap

• have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì + noun = plenty of, no shortage (reassuring, spoken).
• to have / there is有yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的de + noun = some; no 很多hěn duō inside have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì.

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.

Adj + (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le (extremely)

0101.1 Complete: “I'm terribly busy this week.” this这个zhè geweek星期xīng qī我忙wǒ máng…………desperately serious不得了bù dé le。

0101.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tāhappy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le。
• B. he / him他tādesperately serious不得了bù dé lehappy高兴gāo xìng。
• C. he / him他tāhappy高兴gāo xìngdesperately serious不得了bù dé le(degree marker)得de。
• D. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le。

0101.3 Match each expression to its meaning.

• 1. rope累lèi(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le
• 2. desperately serious不得了bù dé le(completed / change)了le！
• 3. terrific了不得liǎo bù dé

• A. remarkable

• B. exhausted

• C. oh no, this is serious!

0101.4 Build: “When they heard you were coming, the children were overjoyed.”

Arrange all chunks: to hear (sth said)听说tīng shuōyou你nǐwant / will / need要yàoto come来lái / desperately serious不得了bù dé le。 / ，child孩子hái zi(plural)们men / happy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得de

0101.5 Your school team has just won the city championship after a penalty shoot-out. 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.

Adj + (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn (very)

0102.1 Complete: “This hotel is really cheap.” 这家zhè jiāwine shop酒店jiǔ diàncheap便宜pián yi…………。

0102.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. air空气kōng qìfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn。
• B. air空气kōng qìdegree / adjective linker很hěnfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn。
• C. air空气kōng qìfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiāndegree / adjective linker很hěn。
• D. air空气kōng qì(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnfresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiān。

0102.3 Build: “His Chinese is really good.”

Arrange all chunks: (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn。 / good好hǎo / he / him他tā(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wén

0102.4 (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le is usually stronger than (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0102.5 After a week in a smoggy city, you walk in a mountain park. 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.

Adj + (completed / change)了le + (one / a一yī)erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér (a bit too)

0103.1 Complete: “These trousers are a bit too long.” this这zhèstrip条tiáotrousers裤子kù zilong长cháng…………erhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér。

0103.2 You want a slightly bigger size. What do you ask for?

• A. too太tàisee 大夫大dà(completed / change)了le(modifier / structural particle)的de
• B. see 大夫大dà(completed / change)了leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér(modifier / structural particle)的de
• C. slightly有点儿yǒu diǎn érsee 大夫大dà(modifier / structural particle)的de
• D. see 大夫大dàerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér(modifier / structural particle)的de

0103.3 Build: “A meeting at eight is a little early for me.”

Arrange all chunks: ，to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ来说lái shuō / early早zǎo(completed / change)了le / erhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér。 / 八点bā diǎnto hold a meeting开会kāi huì

0103.4 太咸tài xián(completed / change)了le is a stronger complaint than 咸了xián leerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ér.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0103.5 You taste the soup your roommate made. It's good, but there's slightly too much salt. 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.

have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì + Noun (have plenty of)

0104.1 Reassure: “Don't worry, there are plenty of tickets.” don't别biéanxious担心dān xīn，ticket票piào…………。

0104.2 What does to have / there is有yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rénnot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huanvariant of 吃吃chīhot (spicy)辣là mean?

• A. Some people don't like spicy food.
• B. Plenty of people dislike spicy food.
• C. Everyone likes spicy food.
• D. Nobody likes spicy food.

0104.3 Build: “He has plenty of ways (to solve it).”

Arrange all chunks: means办法bàn fǎ。 / he / him他tā / have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì

0104.4 have plenty of有的是yǒu de shì(concept of) time时间shí jiān suggests there's no need to hurry.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0104.5 A friend worries she won't find a novel to read on holiday. 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 learner writes I / me我wǒto have / there is有yǒu很多hěn duō(modifier / structural particle)的deto be / is是shì(concept of) time时间shí jiān to say I have plenty of time. Repair the construction.

R2. Use it yourself. React strongly to a tiring journey and say that plenty of seats remain.

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