很 (hěn) — very, quite (intensifier)

很 (hěn)

An adverb most often translated as "very," used before adjectives and some verbs. However, 很 does not always carry strong intensifying meaning. In many sentences, it serves as a neutral linking tone required by Chinese sentence structure, and the translation may simply be "is" rather than "is very."

Meanings

1. [adverb] Very, quite. Intensifies an adjective when stressed.
2. [adverb] Neutral copula tone. Precedes adjective predicates in simple statements without strong intensifying meaning.

The important nuance

In Chinese, adjective predicates do not normally stand alone. The sentence 他高 (He tall) sounds incomplete or implies a comparison. The standard form is 他很高 (He is very tall / He is tall). Here, 很 acts as a neutral bridge and does not necessarily mean "very" strongly. When you want to stress "very," add stress in speech or use 非常 (fēicháng).

Example Sentences

她很高兴。 Tā hěn gāoxìng. She is happy. (neutral) / She is very happy. (stressed)

这里的天气很好。 Zhèlǐ de tiānqì hěn hǎo. The weather here is good / very good.

这本书很有意思。 Zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi. This book is very interesting.

他很忙，今天不来。 Tā hěn máng, jīntiān bù lái. He is quite busy and won't come today.

Collocations

Memory Hook

When you see Adj + 很 + Adj patterns break down, remember: 很 is the glue between a subject and an adjective predicate. In casual English translation, you can often drop "very" and just say "is." Reserve strong emphasis in Chinese for 非常 (extremely) or spoken stress.