No Nonsense Newbie Tips: 6 非常 Alternatives
Another classic newbie rut.
Like "喜欢"， "非常" (fēi cháng) is a word beginners learn to embrace early. It is an extremely useful adverb meaning "very" or "extremely", and can be used in a wide variety of circumstances (plus it is fun to say- 1st tone-2nd tone is a personal favorite!)
Yet also like "喜欢", it can quickly become more of a crutch than a tool.
Due to its broad range of meanings, simple grammar usage, and relatively easy pronunciation, beginners can cling to "非常" to serve all their adverbial needs. While you will never reveal yourself as a newbie solely by using 非常, isn't it time you expanded your "extreme" vocabulary? After all, there are endless instances when learning Chinese where you need to express "very!" (非常好， 非常难， 非常奇怪。。。).
Lets today review 6 alternatives to our old friend "非常", helping you jumpstart yourself out of this adverb rut.
Top 6 非常 Alternatives
1. 特别 (tè bié)- Especially, exceptionally, specially
Example A
tè bié shuài de shuài gē, jiù huì dǎ wán qiú yī qǐ chū qù hè yī bēi shén me de
What do especially handsome guys drink together after finishing up their ball game?
Example B
"无论是顾客、销售商、还是果农，他们都说，今年的葡萄好像特别甜"
wú lùn shì gù kè, xiāo shòu shāng, hái shì guǒ nóng, tā men dōu shuō, jīn nián de pú táo hǎo xiàng tè bié tián
Whether customers, vendors, or farmers, they all say this year's grapes are exceptionally sweet
2. 十分 (shí fēn)- Very, completely, extremely
Example A
bì miǎn mào yì zhàn shí fēn fú hé liǎng guó lì yì
Avoiding a trade war is very much in line with the interests of both countries
Example B
huí guī CBA yì jiàn lián shí fēn dī diào NBA yǐ duì tā guān shàng dà mén
Yi Jianlian's return to the CBA very low-key; has the NBA shut the door on him?
3. 格外 (gé wài)- Especially, additionally, particularly
Example A
nà gè nǚ hái chuān zhuó hūn shā gé wài měi lì dòng rén
That woman's wedding dress is incredibly beautiful and captivating
Example B
zuó tiān de tiān kōng wèi shén me gé wài lán
Why was yesterday's sky especially blue?
4. 相当 (xiāng dāng)- Quite, fairly, considerably
Example A
kè lín dùn shòu fǎng kuā lǎo pó: xiāng dāng néng gàn yǒu zī gé dāng měi guó zǒng tǒng
In interview, Clinton praises wife: quite capable, has qualifications to be US president
Example B
gāo duān xiāng dāng qiǎng shǒu lán sè sān xīng GALAXY S3 zài jiàng
High end, very high demand blue Samsung Galaxy S3, drops in price again
5. 极其 (jí qí)- Extremely, exceedingly
Example A
Diào chá zǔ chēng ān quán guǎn lǐ jí qí hǔn luàn
The investigation committee claims safety management is extremely chaotic
Example B
dà yáng shēn chù jí qí hǎn jiàn de jué měi shēng wù
Extremely rare and beautiful creatures of the deep ocean
6. 超 (chāo)- Super, extra-, exceed
Example A
chāo bó de jī shēn shè jì yě shì dāng xià shǒu jī jiè zhōng de yī duo qí pā
The super slim design is a wonder of modern mobile phones
Example B
yī gè rén yě xǔ xiào de hěn měi, lìng yī gè kě néng gōng zuò chāo nǔlì
One person might have a beautiful smile, while another might be extremely dedicated to work
What other newbie ruts have you found yourself in?
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