Special verbs with "hen" "很"
Using 很 hěn to intensify verbs that express thoughts or feeling is really easy.
Structure
Subj. + 很 + [Certain Verbs]
Certain "psychological verbs" related to feelings or emotional sates can be modified with 很 hěn to increase their intensity. This is similar to using "really" or "very much" in English. Remember that this only applies to psychological verbs, such as:
- 想
xiǎng
to think; to want; to miss
- 喜欢
xǐhuan
to like
- 小心
xiǎoxīn
to be careful
- 怕
pà
to fear; to be afraid of
- 了解
liǎojiě
to know a lot about
- 讨厌
tǎoyàn
to hate
- 担心
dānxīn
to worry about
- 希望
xīwàng
to hope
Examples
- 我 很 想 你。
Wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ.
I really miss you.
- 他 很 喜欢 你。
Tā hěn xǐhuan nǐ.
He really likes you.
- 你应该很 小心 。
Nǐ yīnggāi hěn xiǎoxīn.
You should be very careful.
- 我 很 怕 晚上 一个人 在家。
Wǒ hěn pà wǎnshang yīgèrén zài jiā.
I fear staying home alone at night.
- 你 应该 很 了解 自己 的 孩子。
Nǐ yīnggāi hěn liǎojiě zìjǐ de háizi.
You should know a lot about your child.
- 外国 人 很 讨厌 中国 的 公共 厕所。
Wàiguó rén hěn tǎoyàn Zhōngguó de gōnggòng cèsuǒ.
Foreigners really hate public toilets in China.
- 你 两天 没 回家，妈妈 很 担心 你。
Nǐ liǎng tiān méi huíjiā, māma hěn dānxīn nǐ.
You haven't gone home in two days. Mom is really worried about you.
- 父母 都 很 希望 我 能 上 一 个 好 大学。
Fùmǔ dōu hěn xīwàng wǒ néng shàng yī gè hǎo dàxué.
Both of my parents really hope that I can go to a good college.
Did you ever notice that some Chinese people with less-than-perfect English will use the phrase "very like?" Now you know why!
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 新实用汉语课本1 (p. 143)
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 新实用汉语课本1(2nd ed) (p. 166)