Advanced degree complements (得 + 很 / 要命 …)

Maxing out a degree complement

• After (degree marker)得de, pile on very很hěn / desperately serious不得了bù dé le / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng / won't do不行bù xíng to crank an adjective up.
• rope累lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng = "dead tired"; 热得rè déwon't do不行bù xíng = "unbearably hot".
• The stronger the tail, the more extreme the feeling.

Adj + (degree marker)得de + very很hěn / desperately serious不得了bù dé le / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng / won't do不行bù xíng

• (degree marker)得de + (intensifier) states just how far the quality goes.

I我wǒtired累lèi得deto death要命yào mìng。

• rope累lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng = "(I'm) dead tired."

Recap

Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Complements.