很 hěn — very

Meanings

1. 1

   very

   A degree adverb placed before an adjective. Stressed, it does mean "very"; unstressed, it is simply the filler that lets an adjective work as a predicate, which is why 我很好 is just "I’m fine".

   adverb
2. 2

   unstressed link before an adjective predicate

   adverb

   Without 很, a bare adjective sounds like a comparison: 我好 hints "I’m fine, unlike someone else".

Character breakdown

• 很

  hěn (third tone, dipping)

  very, quite, rather; (originally) to defy, to go against

  9 strokes⿰彳艮Radical 彳

Example sentences

• 今天很冷。Jīntiān (first tone, high and level) hěn (third tone, dipping) lěng. (third tone, dipping)···

  It’s cold today.

• 这个学校很大。/這個學校很大。Zhège (fourth tone, falling) xuéxiào (second tone, rising) hěn (third tone, dipping) dà. (fourth tone, falling)···

  This school is big.

Similar words