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HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 7 min read

Degree Adverbs 过于, 相当, 极其, 格外, 较 and 可

Say “too”, “quite”, “extremely”, “especially” and “really” with the right register using 过于, 相当, 极其, 格外, 较 and spoken 可…了.

Pattern

过于 / 相当 / 极其 / 格外 / 较 + adjective; 可 + adjective + 了

过于 means “too much, and that’s a problem”; 相当 and 极其 just say how much; 格外 means “more than usual”.

这次考试相当难。

When to use Degree Adverbs 过于, 相当, 极其, 格外, 较 and 可

All of these adverbs go right before an adjective (or a feeling verb like 担心) to say how strong it is. 过于 means “too, overly” and always implies a problem: 过于紧张 is nervous to a bad degree. 相当 means “quite, fairly” and 极其 means “extremely”; both only measure the degree, with no complaint built in. 极其 is formal and usually goes before two-syllable words: 极其重要.

这件事极其重要，请大家注意。

This matter is extremely important, so please pay attention, everyone.

你不必过于担心。

You don’t need to worry too much.

这个计划过于复杂，很难完成。

This plan is overly complicated and will be hard to carry out.

今天可冷了，多穿点衣服吧。

It’s really cold today, so put on more clothes.

Common traps

  • Don’t use 过于 to praise: 他过于聪明 sounds like a complaint. To praise, say 他相当聪明 or 他非常聪明.
  • Say 相当难 or 极其重要, not 相当很难 or 极其很重要: use one degree adverb before the adjective.
  • Degree 可 needs a final particle, usually 了: say 今天可冷了！ rather than 今天可冷。

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这个解释 简单，遗漏了关键细节

This explanation is overly simple and leaves out key details
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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