太

• Pinyin: tài
• Hanzi breakdown: 太 = 大 (big) + a dot, meaning 'extremely/supremely big'

Meaning

Too; excessively; extremely. Indicates a degree that goes beyond what is normal or desired.

Usually appears in the pattern 太...了 when expressing 'too much' or 'extremely.' Can be negative (太贵了 = too expensive) or positive (太好了 = wonderful/great). Without 了, it can sound incomplete or unnatural.

Examples

1. 今天太热了。 It's too hot today.
2. 这个东西太贵了。 This thing is too expensive.
3. 太好了！ Great! / Wonderful!

Usage Guide

Context: degree, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这个菜太好吃了！(This dish is so delicious!)
• 今天太冷了，我不想出去。(It's too cold today, I don't want to go out.)

Don't Say

• 这个太好。(Incomplete — say 这个太好了 with 了 at the end; the pattern 太...了 is standard and 了 should not be dropped)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'great' or 'supreme' (as in 太阳 = sun). The character adds a dot to 大 (big), intensifying its meaning to 'extremely.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal