ChineseGrammarWiki/MD/A1/33.mw

{{Grammar Box}} 
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 [[Auxiliary verbs|modal verbs]] (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"]]
* [[Positive adjectives with "-ji le"]]
* [[The "zui" superlative]]
* [[Special verbs with "hen"]]

== Sources  and Further Reading ==

* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (p. 200) [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 →buy]
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 180-1) [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 →buy]
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (p. 57) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]

[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
[[Category:Adverbs]]
{{Basic Grammar|太|A1|太 + Adj. + 了|<em>太</em> 好 <em>了</em> !|grammar point|ASG8HVFN}}
{{Rel char|了}}
{{Similar|"Not very" with "bu tai"}} 
{{Similar|Positive adjectives with "-ji le"}} 
{{Similar|The "zui" superlative}}
{{Similar|Special verbs with "hen"}}
{{Structure|Basics}}
{{Used for| Expressing quality}}
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
{{Translation|too}}
{{Translation|very}}