多 + Adj. (intensifying)

Chinese Grammar Intermediate Chinese ★★★ 3/5 casual duō
拼音 duō
结构 Subj. + 多 + Adj. (+ 啊)
汉字拆解 多 = 夕 (evening) + 夕 (evening) — many evenings suggest abundance

含义

多 placed before an adjective creates an exclamatory expression meaning 'how' or 'so,' used to emphasize degree. It is commonly found in exclamations to express strong feelings about a quality.

This use of 多 is different from its quantitative meaning of 'many' or 'much.' When 多 precedes an adjective directly, it functions as an adverb of degree, similar to English 'how' in exclamations like 'How beautiful!' The pattern often appears with 啊 at the end for stronger emphasis. Unlike 很 which is relatively neutral in modern Chinese, 多 conveys genuine emotional emphasis and is more expressive. Learners sometimes confuse this with 多么, which is more literary and formal but carries the same intensifying function.

例句

  1. 外面的风景多美啊！
  2. 你看他跑得多快！
  3. 这个孩子多聪明啊！

用法指南

语境: spoken, everyday

语气: exclamatory

正确说法

  • 这首歌多好听啊，你也来听听。
  • 你看她画得多好！
  • 春天的花多漂亮啊！

错误说法

  • 这个菜多很好吃。(多 and 很 cannot be used together — 多 already serves as an intensifier) → 这个菜多好吃啊！
  • 她多高兴了。(多 as an intensifier does not pair with 了 — use 多...啊 for exclamation) → 她多高兴啊！

起源与历史

The exclamatory use of 多 evolved from its core meaning of 'much/many.' In classical Chinese, 多 was primarily quantitative, but over time it developed this adverbial intensifying function, paralleling how 'how' in English shifted from an interrogative to an exclamatory marker.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal

相关短语

不仅/不但/不只⋯⋯而且/还/也⋯⋯ (not only variants) Chinese has several interchangeable pairs for expressing 'not only...but also.' The first clause can use 不仅, 不但, or 不只, while the second clause can use 而且, 还, or 也. These combinations create progressive statements with slight differences in formality. 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯ (not only...but also) The pattern 不但...而且... expresses 'not only...but also.' It is used to add information that goes beyond what was initially stated, creating a progressive relationship between two clauses. 关于 vs 对于 (regarding) 关于 and 对于 both translate to 'regarding' or 'about' but differ in scope. 关于 introduces a topic or subject matter in a general sense, while 对于 specifies a target that an action, opinion, or attitude is directed toward. 多 + Verb (do more) 多 placed before a verb means 'do more of' something or 'do something more often.' It is commonly used in advice, encouragement, or suggestions to increase an activity. 有点 vs 一点 (a bit) 有点 and 一点 both express 'a little' or 'a bit' but differ in position and connotation. 有点 comes before adjectives or verbs and often implies something undesirable, while 一点 comes after adjectives to express a small degree or slight comparison. 连⋯⋯都⋯⋯ (even) The pattern 连...都... is used to express 'even' in Chinese, emphasizing that something unexpected or extreme applies. It highlights a surprising inclusion or exclusion by focusing on the most unlikely element in a situation. 再说 (in addition) 再说 is used as a conjunction meaning 'besides,' 'moreover,' or 'in addition.' It introduces a supplementary reason that supports the previous statement, often used to strengthen one's case in explanations or justifications. 少 + Verb (do less) 少 placed before a verb means 'do less of' something or 'do something less often.' It is frequently used in advice, commands, or suggestions to tell someone to reduce an activity.
在 WordLoci 上练习

闪卡、测验、音频发音和间隔重复