别提（有）多…了
you can’t imagine how …; ever so …
Structure
主语 别提（有）多 形容词／心理动词 了
What it means
You can’t imagine how …; ever so …: 别提 is not a ban here; the feeling is too strong to put into words. Works for good and bad alike.
How it is built
Subject + 别提（有）多 + adjective / feeling verb + 了: 儿子考上了大学，老两口别提多高兴了 (The old couple were happier than words can say).
When to use it
Spoken; in writing use 非常 or 说不出的. Keep it apart from the reply 别提了 (6-12), which opens a tale of woe.
Watch out
Keep the final 了 and leave out 很: ✗别提多很香了 ✓别提多香了.
Examples
刚出锅的油条，别提多香了。
You can’t imagine how good youtiao smell straight out of the oil.
那天下大雨又没带伞，别提有多狼狈了。
It poured that day and I had no umbrella; you can’t imagine the state I was in.
儿子考上了大学，老两口别提多高兴了。
Their son got into university, and the old couple were happier than words can say.
Learn this in Lesson 218 · HSK 9+: 文人写吃 (Writers at the table)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →