很 (hěn) - Neutral Intensifier

In English, we use the word "is" to connect subjects and adjectives. You say, "The coffee is hot." In Chinese, we don't use the verb 是 (shì) for this. Using 是 with an adjective is a classic rookie mistake. Instead, we use 很. It acts as a bridge between the noun and the description. When you use 很 in a basic sentence, the "very" meaning almost disappears. It becomes neutral. It is just there to make the sentence grammatically correct. If you really want to say "very," you have to stress the word 很 when you speak. Otherwise, it is just a silent partner doing its job.

1. 1Creating a sentence with 很 is as easy as making toast. Follow these three simple steps:
2. 2Start with your Subject (the person or thing you are talking about).
3. 3Add the word 很 (hěn).
4. 4Finish with your Adjective (the description).
5. 5Structure: [Subject] + 很 + [Adjective]
6. 6Example: 我 (I) + 很 + 忙 (busy) = 我很忙 (I am busy).
7. 7Example: 他 (He) + 很 + 帅 (handsome) = 他很帅 (He is handsome).

You should use 很 whenever you are describing a state or quality. Imagine you are at a restaurant. You want to tell the waiter the food is delicious. You say 菜很好吃. Or maybe you are at a job interview. You want to say you are hardworking. You say 我很努力. You use it for simple facts. Use it for feelings. Use it for physical traits. It is your go-to tool for 90% of descriptions. Yes, even native speakers use it constantly just to keep the sentence balanced. It prevents the sentence from sounding like a comparison. Without 很, 他高 (He tall) sounds like you are about to say "...but I am taller."

There are a few times when 很 needs to stay home. First, do not use it in negative sentences. If you want to say "not busy," just use 不 (bù). You say 我不忙, not 我不很忙 (unless you mean "not very"). Second, do not use it when you are making a direct comparison. If you say "A is taller than B," the 很 disappears. Third, do not use it with the verb 是. Saying 我是很高 is like wearing two hats at once. It is redundant and sounds strange to local ears. Finally, avoid it if you are using other intensifiers like 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) or 太 (tài - too). They are like jealous siblings; they don't like to share the spotlight.

The biggest trap is the "English Brain" mistake. You want to say "I am happy," so you translate it literally as 我是高兴. Stop right there! In Chinese, 是 is for nouns (I am a teacher), not adjectives. Another mistake is leaving the adjective naked. Saying 他忙 (He busy) sounds unfinished. It feels like a cliffhanger in a movie. The listener is waiting for the rest of the sentence. Also, watch out for the "Very" trap. Don't assume someone is being dramatic if they use 很. They are likely just being grammatically correct. If your friend says 我很累 (I'm tired), they aren't necessarily dying of exhaustion; they just need a nap.

How does 很 stack up against its cousins? Think of it as a scale of intensity. 很 is the baseline. It is a 5 out of 10 on the energy scale. If you want to kick it up to an 8, use 非常 (fēicháng). If you want to go to an 11 (and maybe complain a little), use 太...了 (tài...le). For example, 天气很热 is "The weather is hot." 天气非常热 is "The weather is extremely hot." 天气太热了 is "The weather is too hot!" (I'm melting!). 很 is the safe, middle-ground choice for almost any situation. It is the "jeans and a t-shirt" of Chinese grammar.