The absolute pinnacle or utmost degree; greatness beyond "big" (大). Too (excessively), extremely, very — marking intensity or excess in modern speech.
太
Excessive, overflowing the container, reaching an intense threshold.
太 almost always pairs with 了 at the end of the clause, indicating an emotional overflow.
Common Usage & Traps
- 太冷了 — too cold!
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太冷(缺少了,日常口语中)太冷了In spoken Chinese, 太 almost always demands sentence-final 了.
Why does 太 usually need 了 at the end (太...了)?
太 signifies an exceeded boundary, and 了 confirms that the state has overflowed.
Appears in Stories 6 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
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弟弟 太 小,也不喜欢画画儿,一会儿跳上跳下,一会儿跑来跑去。
Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.
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“现在是下午,天气 太 热“。
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爸爸说了今天 太 热”。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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太 奇怪了!
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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信中说:“你提出的问题 太 大,我不能给你一个可以使我自己认为满意的解释。
Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.
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家人、朋友关系好,“谢谢”、“您”、“请” 太 客气,在家说话不客气,可以不说“您和请”。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
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他想:“十点了, 太 晚了,那个小饭店还开吗?”
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今天外边 太 冷了,我给你做热面条。”
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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