很 + Adjective Predicates
Using 很 (hěn) with adjective predicates instead of 是 (shì)
I can describe people and things using adjective predicates with 很
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
今天天气很冷。
The weather is cold today.
中文很有意思。
Chinese is very interesting.
这个菜很好吃。
This dish is delicious.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
很+形容词 — Adjective Predicates with 很
In Chinese, adjectives act as verbs — they do not need 是 (to be). Instead, use 很 (hěn) before the adjective in neutral statements.
| Correct ✓ | Wrong ✗ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 她很漂亮 tā hěn piàoliang | *她是漂亮 | She is pretty |
| 天气很冷 tiānqì hěn lěng | *天气是冷 | The weather is cold |
| 中文很难 zhōngwén hěn nán | *中文是难 | Chinese is hard |
Important: 很 in neutral statements does NOT mean 'very' — it is just a structural filler. For real emphasis, use 非常 (fēicháng) or stress 很 with tone.
Common Error Patterns
Used 是 before an adjective instead of 很
Adjectives in Chinese are stative verbs. Say 她很漂亮, not *她是漂亮. Use 是 only before nouns.
今天天气很冷。
The weather is cold today.
天气很冷 (tiānqì hěn lěng) — Subject + 很 + Adjective. No 是 needed. 很 here is neutral, not emphatic.
中文很有意思。
Chinese is very interesting.
中文很有意思 (zhōngwén hěn yǒu yìsi) — for emphasis, stress 很 or use 非常 (fēicháng, truly very).
这个菜很好吃。
This dish is delicious.
这个菜很好吃 (zhè gè cài hěn hǎochī) — 好吃 = delicious. Remember: Subject + 很 + Adj, never *这个菜是好吃.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises