HSK 3 Grammar 1: Describing & Degree
HSK 3 Topic 1 4:59 English explanations + Mandarin examples · captions follow the spoken text
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How Chinese describes things. First, setting the degree: 极了, 多……啊, 比较 and 这么. Then describing nouns and actions with 的, 地 and doubled adjectives. Finally, two qualities at once and change over time with 越来越. Each tool has one position rule.
极了: good all the way to the pole. 这个主意好极了。 : This idea is perfect. 那个男孩讨厌极了！ : That boy is unbelievably annoying! 极 means the furthest point, the 极 of 北极, the North Pole : so 好极了 reads "good to the pole". The 了 is welded on: never 好极. No 很 in front : 极了 is already the emphasis.
Three ways to set the degree. 多 plus an adjective plus 啊 exclaims: 这里多漂亮啊！ How beautiful it is here! 比较 plus an adjective moderates: 今天比较冷。 It's fairly cold today. And 极了 pushes to the top: 好吃极了！
Doubling an adjective paints a fond little picture. A one-syllable adjective doubles, then takes 的 before a noun: 大大的眼睛。 Lovely big eyes. A two-syllable adjective doubles each character: 高高兴兴, 干干净净. Before a verb it takes 地: 舒舒服服地躺着。 Lying there comfortably. A doubled adjective is already emphatic, so no 很 in front, and not every adjective doubles: you never hear 好好吃吃.
To describe a noun, put the adjective and 的 before it: 漂亮的衣服, pretty clothes; 很大的房子, a very big house. Short set phrases can drop 的: 新书, 好人. Remember: 的 before a noun, 地 before a verb.
地: the "-ly" of the three structural particles. 的; A noun; 我的书 : my book. 地; A verb : the "-ly"; 高兴地笑 : smile happily. 得; Rates a result; 跑得快 : runs fast. Sort them by what comes next. 地 carries 土 "earth" : it grounds the verb.
这么 and 那么 turn this and that into this much and that much. 今天怎么这么冷？ Why is it so cold today? 这么 points to what is near or happening now. 那么 points further off, or to something already mentioned: 他没有你那么高。 He isn't as tall as you.
Two qualities at once: 又 A 又 B. 这家店的菜又便宜又好吃。 The food here is cheap and tasty. A gradual change: 越来越. 天气越来越冷了。 It's getting colder and colder. Two linked changes: 越 A 越 B. 他越说越高兴。 The more he talked, the happier he got. No 很 after 越来越.
Watch out: the three slips. 极了: no 得, no 很, and never drop the 了. In 高兴地笑, the linking particle takes a neutral tone. When 地 means earth, it takes a fourth tone : and the adverb phrase comes before the verb.
Quick check. Which de comes before a verb – 慢慢__走? Pause the video and choose your answer before continuing. Option 1: 的. Option 2: 地. Option 3: 得. Check your choice against these key points. 地 links a manner word to the verb: 慢慢地走. 的 comes before a noun; 得 after a verb: 走得很慢.
Check yourself. For something happening right here and now, 这么 or 那么? Pause the video and choose your answer before continuing. Option 1: 那么. Option 2: 这么. Check your choice against these key points. 这么 points at what is near and now: 今天这么冷！ 那么 points further away or compares: 没有你那么高.