Verb + 得很
HSK 5- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The complement 得很 is used after adjectives or psychological verbs to emphasize a very high degree, meaning "extremely" or "tremendously."
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
得很 is a degree complement used to express that a state has reached a very high degree. It carries a stronger nuance than 很 and often has a slight sense of exaggeration, equivalent to "extremely," "terribly," or "awfully" in English.
This structure typically pairs with adjectives (such as 好, 忙, 累) or psychological/emotional verbs (such as 喜欢, 高兴, 想). It is not used with ordinary action verbs.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这几天我忙得很。繁: 這幾天我忙得很。Zhè jǐ tiān wǒ máng de hěn.
I've been extremely busy these past few days.
- 这个地方的风景美得很。繁: 這個地方的風景美得很。Zhège dìfang de fēngjǐng měi de hěn.
The scenery in this place is extremely beautiful.
- 孩子们玩得高兴得很。繁: 孩子們玩得高興得很。Háizi men wán de gāoxìng de hěn.
The children played with great joy.
- 我一个人在家害怕得很。繁: 我一個人在家害怕得很。Wǒ yí ge rén zài jiā hàipà de hěn.
I'm very afraid being alone at home by myself.
- 外面冷得很，多穿件衣服吧。Wàimiàn lěng de hěn, duō chuān jiàn yīfu ba.
It's very cold outside, put on more clothes.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他很忙得很。Correct:他忙得很。
Since `得很` already carries the meaning "very" or "extremely," there is no need to use the adverb `很` before it.
- Wrong:我跑步得很。Correct:我跑得很快。
得很 does not combine directly with action verbs; an adjective is needed to describe the action.