(tài) — too, excessively (often with 了); very, extremely (often in 太…了 for positive emphasis); (in 不太) not very, not really

Definition

太 is a HSK 1 intensifier with two flavors: a negative 'too / excessively' (often with 了) and a positive 'so / very' in the 太…了 pattern. 极 means 'extremely' but is more written/literary.

adverb
tooexcessively (often with 了)veryextremely (often in 太…了 for positive emphasis)(in 不太) not verynot really

Examples

  • Shuǐ tài rè le, bù néng hē.
    The water is too hot; I can't drink it.
  • Nǐ tài hǎo le, xiè xie!
    You are so kind, thank you!
  • Wǒ bú tài xǐ huan chá.
    I don't really like tea.

Grammar

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