Lesson 10
Learning colours is one of the topics I personally look forward to when learning a new language. To make it more interesting, we’ll be using them along with vocabulary from the previous lesson, to talk about clothing. You’ll also learn some adjectives to describe clothing and some useful adverbs of degree, so you can make comparisons. Enjoy!
Colours
| 颜色 | yánsè | colour |
| 红色 | hóngsè | red |
| 蓝色 | lánsè | blue |
| 黄色 | huángsè | yellow |
| 绿色 | lǜsè | green |
| 紫色 | zǐsè | purple |
| 橙色 | chéngsè | orange |
| 粉色 | fěnsè | pink |
| 灰色 | huīsè | grey |
| 棕色 | zōngsè | brown |
| 白色 | báisè | white |
| 黑色 | hēisè | black |
Supplementary Vocab
| 好看 | hǎokàn | nice, looks good |
| 漂亮 | piàoliang | pretty, beautiful |
| 时髦 | shímáo | fashionable, trendy |
| 舒服 | shūfu | comfortable |
| 合适 | héshì | suitable, fitting |
| 哪（个） | nǎ( gè) | which |
| 觉得 | jué | to think, feel |
Adverbs of degree
| 真 | zhēn | really, truly |
| 特别 | tèbié | especially, particularly |
| 非常 | fēicháng | extremely, really |
| 比较 | bǐjiào | quite, comparatively, relatively |
| 更 | gèng | even more |
| 最 | zuì | most |
| 太…了 | tài…le | too, excessively |
How to use adverbs of degree
真 (zhēn) – really, truly
We use this adverb to emphasize the degree of something, indicating that the speaker truly believes in what they’re saying. It can be used in a positive or negative context.
Example:
我真喜欢那件黑色外套。
Wǒ zhēn xǐhuān nà jiàn hēisè wàitào.
I really like that black coat.
特别 (tèbié) – especially, particularly
We use this adverb to indicate that something is exceptional or unique, going beyond what is ordinary or typical. It often expresses admiration or appreciation.
Example:
那条红色连衣裙特别漂亮。
Nà tiáo hóngsè liányīqún tèbié piàoliang.
That red dress is especially beautiful.
非常 (fēicháng) – extremely, very
We use this adverb to indicate a higher degree than 真and 特别. It can be used in a positive or negative context.
Example:
这顶紫色帽子非常好看。
Zhè dǐng zǐsè màozi fēicháng hǎokàn.
This purple hat is very good-looking.
比较 (bǐjiào) – comparatively, relatively
We use this adverb to indicate a moderate degree of something, usually in comparison to something else. It can be used in a positive or negative context.
Example:
这条牛仔裤比较时髦。
Zhè tiáo niúzǎikù bǐjiào shímáo.
This pair of jeans is more fashionable.
更 (gèng) – even more
We use this adverb to indicate a higher degree of something than what has been mentioned previously, emphasizing a change or a contrast. It can be used in a positive or negative context.
Example:
我觉得这件衬衣更舒服。
Wǒ juédé zhè jiàn chènyī gèng shūfu.
I think this shirt is even more comfortable.
最 (zuì) – most
We use this adverb to indicate the highest degree of something, expressing a superlative or an absolute. It can be used in a positive or negative context.
Example:
我最喜欢颜色是蓝色。
Wǒ zuì xǐhuān yánsè shì lánsè.
My favorite color is blue.
太…了 (tài…le) – too, excessively
We use this adverb to indicate that something has gone beyond a desirable or acceptable limit, to the point of an excess or a fault. It is most often used in a negative context.
Example:
那双鞋太大了。
Nà shuāng xié tài dàle.
Those shoes are too big.
Grammar is a very important part of learning a new language. You can find this same topic and other helpful grammar specific lessons in the grammar section for easy reference and review.
Language in Action
It’s time to practice the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learnt in this lesson and review words from the previous lesson by answering the following questions.
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