Definition
太 (tài) is an adverb that means 'too, excessively' (太…了 with a negative tone) or 'very, extremely' (太…了 for positive emphasis). Unlike 极 (jí), which just means 'extremely' without a sense of excess, 太 often implies something is beyond a limit. In 不太, it softens a negative to 'not very, not really'.
adverb
tooexcessively (often with 了)veryextremely (often in 太…了 for positive emphasis)(in 不太) not verynot really
Easily confused
- 大dàlook-alikebig, large
- 台táisound-alike(noun) platform, stage, terrace; also station (e.g., 电视台, 气象台)
- 天tiānlook-alike(noun) sky
- 抬táisound-aliketo lift, to raise (one's head, hand, etc.)
- 美měilook-alikebeautiful; pretty
- 胎tāisound-alike(noun) tire (loanword)
- 因yīnlook-alike(preposition) because of, due to
- 尖jiānlook-alike(adjective) sharp, pointed; shrill, tapering; shrill, piercing; acute, keen
Examples
- 太，。Shuǐ tài rè le, bù néng hē.The water is too hot; I can't drink it.
- 太，！Nǐ tài hǎo le, xièxie!You are so kind, thank you!
- 太。Wǒ bú tài xǐhuan chá.I don't really like tea.
Grammar
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