Meaning
太 is one of the most common adverbs in Mandarin, used to intensify adjectives or verbs. It typically means 'too' (excessively) or 'extremely,' often carrying a sense that something exceeds a normal or acceptable level. It appears in everyday speech constantly.
Usage
太 usually precedes an adjective or psychological verb and is often followed by 了 at the end of the sentence for emphasis (太...了 pattern). When used alone without 了, it can simply mean 'very' or 'extremely.' The pattern 太...了 often expresses strong emotion, either positive or negative. Native speakers use it in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01这件衣服太贵了，我买不起。, .This piece of clothing is too expensive, I can't afford it.
- 02今天的天气太好了！!Today's weather is wonderful!
Common collocations
- 太好了that's great!, excellent!
- 太贵了too expensive
- 太累了too tired
- 太多了too much/many
Antonyms
Origin
太 originally meant 'great' or 'supreme' in classical Chinese (as in 太极 tàijí, supreme ultimate). Over time, it evolved into an intensifying adverb meaning 'excessively' or 'extremely.'