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很

hěn
HSK 2.0 Level 1 HSK 3.0 Level 1 Adverb Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. (adverb of degree)
  2. 2. quite
  3. 3. very
  4. 4. awfully

Character focus

Stroke order

9 strokes

Word relationships

Synonyms

3 items
非常
fēi cháng

very; really

Both mean 'very', but 非常 is more formal and emphatic.
挺
tǐng

straight

挺 is more colloquial and often used with 的.
太
tài

highest

太 means 'too' or 'extremely', often implying excess.

Usage notes

Collocations

很 is placed before adjectives, e.g., 很好 (very good). It is often used even when the degree is not strong, simply to link the subject and adjective.

Common mistakes

Learners sometimes omit 很 in simple 'noun + adjective' sentences. In Mandarin, 很 is usually required before an adjective unless making a contrast or using other modifiers.

Grammar

Guides that feature 很

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1 guide
HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min
很 with Adjectives

Use 很 to make simple adjective sentences sound complete.

Reading: hěn Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
他 很 有钱，但一毛不拔。
He is very rich, but he won't give a single cent.
他 很 不舒服，你应该体谅他。
He is very uncomfortable, you should be understanding towards him.
他 很 勤快，总是主动帮忙做家务。
He is very diligent and always takes the initiative to help with household chores.
他 很 固执，不肯改变主意。
He is very stubborn and refuses to change his mind.
房间 很 干净。
The room is very clean.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 很

不很
bù hěn

not very

得很
de hěn

(after an adjective) very