太……了
too …; so … (complaining or exclaiming)
Structure
太 + 形容词 + 了
What it means
太 + adjective + 了 complains that something is too much (太贵了, too expensive) or exclaims (太好了, great!).
How it is built
太 + adjective + 了: 这个包太重了 (this bag is too heavy), 二十块？太少了！ (Twenty kuai? Too little!).
When to use it
Use it to react with feeling: a complaint about too much, or delight. For a plain statement, use 很: 这个包很重.
Watch out
✗ 太贵。 ✓ 太贵了！ Keep the 了: 太贵 alone sounds unfinished. ✗ 太很贵 ✓ 太贵了: 太 already means “too”, so don’t add 很.
Examples
太贵了！
That’s too expensive!
二十块？太少了！
Twenty kuai? That’s too little!
这个包太重了。
This bag is too heavy.
你来了？我太高兴了！
You’re here? I’m so happy!
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 10: 多少钱 (How much is it?)
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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