挺 + Adj. + 的 (quite)

• Pinyin: tǐng
• Formation: (Subject +) 挺 + Adjective / Verb Phrase + 的
• Hanzi breakdown: 挺 = 扌(hand) + 廷 (court)

Meaning

The pattern '挺 + Adjective + 的' is used to express a moderate degree, equivalent to 'quite' or 'pretty' in English. It suggests that something is noticeably but not extremely the quality described.

This pattern occupies a middle ground on the degree spectrum — stronger than 有点 (a little) but weaker than 非常 (very) or 极了 (extremely). It is predominantly used in spoken Chinese and has a casual, conversational tone. The 的 at the end is often included to soften the statement and make it sound more natural, though it is sometimes omitted in rapid speech. 挺 can precede both adjectives and verb phrases (e.g., 挺喜欢的). It often carries a mildly positive or surprised nuance, as if acknowledging something is better than expected. In formal writing, 颇 or 相当 would be preferred over 挺.

Examples

1. 这家餐厅的菜挺好吃的。 The food at this restaurant is quite delicious.
2. 今天的天气挺舒服的。 The weather today is quite comfortable.
3. 他挺聪明的，学什么都很快。 He is quite smart — he picks up everything quickly.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, everyday

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 这个公园挺大的，可以走很久。
• 她说话挺有礼貌的。
• 这本书挺值得看的。
• 周末去爬山挺好玩的。

Don't Say

• 这件衣服挺很漂亮的。(Do not combine 挺 with 很 — both are degree adverbs and cannot be stacked) → 这件衣服挺漂亮的。
• 他挺高兴极了。(挺 and 极了 are conflicting degree markers — use one or the other, not both) → 他挺高兴的。

Origin & History

挺 originally meant 'straight' or 'upright' as a verb. Its use as a degree adverb meaning 'quite' or 'rather' developed from northern Chinese dialects, particularly Beijing speech, and entered standard Mandarin through dialectal influence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal