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
Category:A2 grammar points