In Chinese, the simplest structure for expressing "too" in the sense of
"excessively" is by using the word 太 (tài). Don't forget to also add 了
(le) after the adjective to keep your Chinese sounding natural.

Structure
---------

<div class="jiegou">
太 + Adj. + 了

</div>
As in English, this can express that something really is excessive
(often as a complaint), or can also colloquially express the meaning of
"so" or "very."

Examples
--------

The following examples sound a little bit like a complaint, or a reason
for not doing something. They're similar to how we would use "too" in
English, and the translations are straightforward.

<div class="liju">
-   米饭 <em>太</em> 多 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Mǐfàn
    <em>tài</em> duō <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">There is too
    much rice.</span>
-   现在 <em>太</em> 晚 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Xiànzài
    <em>tài</em> wǎn <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Now it's too
    late.</span>
-   老板 <em>太</em> 忙 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn
    <em>tài</em> máng <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">The boss is
    too busy.</span>
-   老师 <em>太</em> 累 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī
    <em>tài</em> lèi <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">The teacher
    is too tired.</span>
-   这个 厕所 <em>太</em> 脏 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhège
    cèsuǒ <em>tài</em> zāng <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">This
    restroom is too dirty.</span>

</div>
In the following examples, the same exact pattern is used to exclaim how
*good* something is, so these uses are totally *not* complaints. The
English translations have to get a little more creative to express the
same feeling in English.

<div class="liju">
-   你 <em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ
    <em>tài</em> hǎo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">You are so
    great.</span>
-   他 <em>太</em> 帅 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Tā
    <em>tài</em> shuài <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He is very
    handsome.</span>
-   这 个 女孩 <em>太</em> 漂亮 <em>了</em> 。
    <span class="pinyin">Zhège nǚhái <em>tài</em> piàoliang
    <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">This girl is so
    pretty.</span>
-   小猫 <em>太</em> 可爱 <em>了</em> ！ <span class="pinyin">Xiǎomāo
    <em>tài</em> kě'ài <em>le</em>!</span><span class="trans">The kitten
    is so cute!</span>
-   你 的 孩子 <em>太</em> 聪明 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ
    de háizi <em>tài</em> cōngming
    <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your kids are wicked
    smart.</span>

</div>
Note for the more advanced learner: This pattern can be used with [modal
verbs](Auxiliary_verbs "wikilink") (e.g. 会 (huì), 能 (néng)) as well as
psychological verbs (e.g. 喜欢 (xǐhuan), 想 (xiǎng), 爱 (ài)) to
intensify the degree.

See also
--------

-   ["Not very" with "bu tai"]("Not_very"_with_"bu_tai" "wikilink")
-   [Positive adjectives with "-ji
    le"](Positive_adjectives_with_"-ji_le" "wikilink")
-   [The "zui" superlative](The_"zui"_superlative "wikilink")
-   [Special verbs with "hen"](Special_verbs_with_"hen" "wikilink")

Sources and Further Reading
---------------------------

-   [Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second
    Edition](Chinese:_An_Essential_Grammar,_Second_Edition "wikilink") (p.
    200)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615)
-   [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1
    (3rd ed)](Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) "wikilink") (pp.
    180-1)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385)
-   [Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical
    Guide](Modern_Mandarin_Chinese_Grammar:_A_Practical_Guide "wikilink") (p.
    57)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108)

[Category:A1 grammar points](Category:A1_grammar_points "wikilink")
<Category:Adverbs>