The differences between “很” and “太”
The correct answer is B.
Translation:
Zhèjiàn yīfu zěnmeyàng?
Kate:这件 衣服 怎么样?
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What do you think about the overcoat?
Tài kě’ài le.
Jerry:太可爱了。
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It’s too cute.
Explanation:
This test aims to check your knowledge of the adverbs 很 (hěn) and 太 (tài). Both are adverbs of degree, which means they modify adjectives to change the degree or intensity. 很 (hěn) means “very.”
太 (tài) means either “extremely” or “too.” If you are describing something good, 太 (tài) means “extremely,” but if you are describing something bad, then 太 (tài) means “too.” So how do you know which to use: 很 (hěn) or 太 (tài)?
1. 很 (hěn) and 太 (tài) are both adverbs of degree, with 太 (tài) leaving a stronger impression of the two. Additionally, when using 太 (tài), you’re not necessarily talking about facts, but your opinion.
Examples:
(1)
Tā de zuǐ hěn dà!
a. 她 的 嘴 很 大!
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Her mouth is very big!
Tā de zuǐ tài dà le!
b. 她 的 嘴 太 大 了!
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Her mouth is too big!
In the above examples, a describes her mouth without any (or much) personal opinion, but b is someone’s opinion about her mouth.
(2)
Zhège zhǔyi hěn hǎo!
a. 这个 主意 很 好!
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This is a very good idea!
Zhège zhǔyi tài hǎo le!
b. 这个 主意 太 好 了!
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This is a brilliant idea!
“太好了 (tài hǎo le)” expresses obvious excitement, meaning “extremely good.”
2. Usually when 太 (tài) is used,the modal particle 了 (le) follows. “很 (Hěn),” on the other hand, is rarely used in this way.
Examples:
Zhège píngguǒ hěn dà!
这个 苹果 很 大!
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This apple is very big!
Zhège píngguǒ tài dà le!
这个 苹果 太 大 了!
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This apple is too big!
Now, let’s go back and take a look at the above conversation. 可爱 (kě’ài) is an adjective and can be modified by adverbs 太 (tài) and 很 (hěn). The reason that we choose “太 (tài)” as the correct answer is that there is a “了 (le)” at the end of the sentence.