Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Express-"excessively"-with-太-(tài)
In Chinese, the word "太" (tài) is commonly used to express the notion of "too much" or "excessive." When used in this sense, it often appears in conjunction with the particle "了" (le) at the end of the sentence.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The basic structure for expressing this concept in Chinese is:
太 + Adjective + 了
This construction allows the speaker to express that something is excessively or significantly described by the given adjective. However, in some contexts, this construction can also mean "so" or "very," without necessarily carrying an excessive connotation.
For example, the phrase "太好了 (tài hǎo le)" translates to "very good" rather than implying that something is "too good" in a negative way.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Excessive Connotation[edit | edit source]
- 他 太 重 了 。
- Tā tài zhòng le.
He is too heavy. / He is very heavy.
- 我 太 胖 了 。
- Wǒ tài pàng le.
I am too fat. / I am very fat.
- 米饭 太 少 了 。
- Mǐfàn tài shǎo le.
There is too little rice. / There is very little rice.
Without Excessive Connotation[edit | edit source]
- 你 太 好 了 。
- Nǐ tài hǎo le.
You are so good. / You are very good.
- 这个 电影 太 精彩 了 。
- Zhège diànyǐng tài jīngcǎi le.
This movie is so exciting. / This movie is very exciting.
Other Examples[edit | edit source]
- 大象 太 大 了 。
- Dàxiàng tài dà le.
The elephant is too big. / The elephant is very big.
- 他 太 高 了 。
- Tā tài gāo le.
He is too tall. / He is very tall.
- 音乐 太 吵 了 。
- Yīnyuè tài chǎo le.
The music is too loud. / The music is very loud.