够
enough: there is enough of something · enough to (eat, use…) · do something as much as you want
Structure
名词 + 够 （了） · 够 + 动词 · 动词 + 够
What it means
“Enough”: there is enough of something, there is enough to do something, or you have done something as much as you want.
How it is built
Noun + 够 (了): 钱够了 (there’s enough money), 时间不够. 够 + verb: 够吃, 够用 (enough to eat, to go round). Verb + 够: 睡够了 (had enough sleep); 没睡够 (didn’t get enough).
When to use it
The position sets the meaning: after a noun it’s about quantity, before a verb it’s “enough to”, after a verb it’s “as much as you want”: 孩子们玩儿够了才回家.
Watch out
English puts “enough” before the noun, Chinese doesn’t: ✗ 我有够钱 ✓ 我的钱够了.
Examples
钱够了，不用再给了。
That’s enough money: you don’t need to give any more.
两个人吃三个菜，够吃了。
Three dishes for two people: that’s plenty to eat.
孩子们在公园里玩儿够了才回家。
The kids didn’t go home till they’d played in the park as long as they wanted.
时间不够，我没写完。
There wasn’t enough time, so I didn’t finish writing.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 25: 高考 (The big exam)
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.
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