很 (hěn) is a Chinese adverb that can either simply mean “to be” or could indicate a degree. Let’s explore both uses and learn the difference.
(1) In simple “noun” + “adjective” sentences
When 很 is attached to an adjective, it serves as a linking word to connect the subject of the sentence with the adjective, but it does not carry any additional meaning. Even though it is found in English-Chinese dictionaries to mean “very”, it actually doesn’t add any new information to the sentence. That is why it is often referred to as a “dummy-linking adverb”. 很 tells us that the adjective that follows is describing the subject of the sentence. In this way, it serves the role of the verb “is” in English.
For instance, in the sentence “我很忙。”, 很 (hěn) is used to link the subject 我 (wǒ), meaning “I,” with the adjective 忙 (máng), meaning “busy.” The resulting translation is “I am busy.”
Other examples:
- 她很高。(Tā hěn gāo.) She is tall.
- 你很美。(Nǐ hěn měi.) You are beautiful.
- 我们都很累。(Wǒmen dōu hěn lèi.) We’re all tired.
Note that 很 is not the only word that can equate to “is” in Chinese. When something is a fact (instead of indicating a degree) we use 是.
(2) To intensify special verbs
When used with certain special verbs (that convey an emotional state), 很 can also be used to indicate degree and has the meaning very, really or quite. In this way 很 can be used to intensify the emotional state being described.
Here are the main verbs this rule applies to:
| 想 | xiǎng | to think; to want; to miss |
| 喜欢 | xǐhuān | to like |
| 高兴 | gāoxìng | to be happy |
| 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 |
| 希望 | xīwàng | to hope; to wish |
| 愿意 | yuànyì | to be willing to |
Examples:
- 她很喜欢鸟。(Tā hěn xǐhuan niǎo.) She quite likes birds.
- 我很了解他。(Wǒ hěn liǎojiě tā.) I really know him.
- 我很讨厌蛇。(Wǒ hěn tǎoyàn shé.) I really hate snakes.
Check your understanding
Try some multiple choice questions to see if you can distinguish between these two uses of “很”.