很是 + Adj. (emphatic literary)

• 拼音: hěnshì
• 结构: Subj. + 很是 + Adj.
• 汉字拆解: 很 = 彳 (step) + 艮 (stubborn), suggesting intensity; 是 = 日 (sun) + 疋 (correct), originally meaning straight or correct

含义

A more formal and literary way to emphasize the degree of an adjective or psychological verb, equivalent to 'quite' or 'very much' in English. Unlike everyday 很, the pattern 很是 carries a more deliberate and literary tone. It is commonly found in written Chinese and formal speech.

The pattern 很是 places the copula 是 after 很 to create an emphatic construction that feels more deliberate and literary than a simple 很. While 很高兴 is neutral and everyday, 很是高兴 sounds more measured and reflective, as if the speaker is affirming the degree of the feeling. This pattern is particularly common with psychological adjectives such as 高兴, 满意, 担心, and 感动, as well as evaluative adjectives like 精彩, 独特, and 难得. It appears frequently in literary prose, formal speeches, and news commentary. In conversation, using 很是 can sound slightly refined or old-fashioned, which may be desirable in certain social contexts.

例句

1. 领导对这次活动的安排很是满意。
2. 看到老朋友出现在门口，她很是惊喜。
3. 他对自己未来的方向很是迷茫。

用法指南

语境: written, literary, formal speech

语气: reflective

正确说法

• 这次旅行的经历很是难忘，回来后我写了一篇游记。
• 他的演讲内容很是深刻，引发了热烈的讨论。
• 收到录取通知书的那天，全家人很是激动。

错误说法

• 今天很是冷。(很是 is typically used with psychological or evaluative adjectives, not basic physical descriptions — use 很冷 or 非常冷 for weather) → 今天非常冷。
• 她很是跑得快。(很是 can only modify adjectives and psychological verbs, not verb phrases — use 跑得很快 instead) → 她跑得很快。

起源与历史

The combination of 很 (very) with 是 (to be) as an emphatic adverb has roots in classical Chinese literary style, where 是 served as an intensifying copula. This usage persists in modern formal Chinese as a stylistic marker of educated or literary speech.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal