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Adjective Predicate Sentences in Chinese (形容词谓语句)
In Mandarin Chinese, adjectives can serve directly as the main predicate of a sentence to describe the state or quality of a subject without needing the verb 是 (shì). In simple affirmative statements, a degree adverb such as 很 (hěn) typically precedes the adjective.
我今天很忙。
Here 很 (hěn) serves as a natural degree marker before the adjective predicate 忙 (máng) in a neutral statement.
× 他是很高。
Incorrect in a neutral description of someone's height. Do not use the copula verb 是 (shì) to link a subject to a descriptive adjective predicate; replace with 他很高 (Tā hěn gāo).
Corrected example: 他很高。
Read the full explanation and examples
What Is an Adjective Predicate Sentence?
In the HSK 1 grammar outline, the adjective predicate sentence (主谓句2：形容词谓语句) is classified as a core type of single subject-predicate sentence (单句). In English, describing a noun requires a linking verb such as am, is, or are before the adjective, as in 'He is busy.' In Mandarin Chinese, adjectives function directly as the predicate (谓语) of the sentence. Because the adjective itself links the quality to the subject (主语), Chinese sometimes refers to these words as stative verbs, and no extra linking verb is required.
Affirmative Structure and the Role of 很 (hěn)
When making a simple, neutral affirmative statement with an adjective predicate, you generally do not leave a monosyllabic or common adjective standing completely alone after the subject. Instead, you place a degree adverb before the adjective. The most common word for this slot is 很 (hěn).
Although dictionaries define 很 (hěn) as 'very,' in an unstressed affirmative sentence it primarily acts as a grammatical buffer to make the rhythm and tone sound complete and neutral. Unless you stress 很 (hěn) heavily with your voice, it often carries little or no strong intensity. If you actually want to express strong intensity, you can use a stronger degree adverb in the same slot, such as 非常 (fēicháng, extremely) or 太 (tài, too/extremely).
我今天很忙。
Here 很 (hěn) serves as a natural degree marker before the adjective predicate 忙 (máng) in a neutral statement.
这个菜非常好。
The degree adverb 非常 (fēicháng) expresses genuine high intensity before the adjective 好 (hǎo).
Negation and Yes-No Questions
For a plain negative description, use 不 + Adjective, as in 不贵. For a neutral yes-no question, use Adjective + 吗, as in 你累吗. These patterns do not require 很. Keeping a degree expression is possible when that degree is part of what you mean or ask about; it is not a mechanical deletion triggered by any other grammatical word.
这件衣服不贵。
Negation uses 不 (bù) directly before the adjective 贵 (guì), and 很 (hěn) is dropped.
你累吗？
In a neutral yes-no question with 吗 (ma), the adjective 累 (lèi) is used without 很 (hěn).
- 不 + Adjective means “not [adjective]”. It does not automatically mean “not at all”; that stronger meaning needs suitable wording or context.
- Saying 不很 (bù hěn) or 不太 (bú tài) before an adjective is also possible, but it changes the meaning to a softer 'not very [adjective].'
- In a question like 你累吗？ (Nǐ lèi ma?), omitting 很 (hěn) asks neutrally whether the person is tired, whereas adding 很 (hěn) asks specifically if they are very tired.
When Bare Adjectives Are Used: Contrast and Answers
Not every affirmative adjective predicate requires 很. Clear contrasts and short answers are two useful contexts for a bare adjective. Other uses depend on the particular adjective and discourse, so a bare adjective does not always imply a hidden comparison.
哥哥大，弟弟小。
Bare adjectives 大 (dà) and 小 (xiǎo) are used without 很 (hěn) because the two clauses directly contrast with each other.
我忙 can be contrastive in context, but that is not its only possible reading. For a straightforward beginner description of being busy, 我很忙 is a useful default. Choose the pattern to fit the context rather than adding 很 mechanically to every adjective.
Common Learner Error: Adding 是 (shì) Before an Adjective
A common mistake for English-speaking beginners is translating 'is/am/are' word-for-word as 是 (shì) and placing it in front of an adjective predicate. In standard Mandarin, 是 (shì) connects two nouns or pronouns; it is not used to link a subject to a normal descriptive adjective in a neutral statement.
× 他是很高。
Incorrect in a neutral description of someone's height. Do not use the copula verb 是 (shì) to link a subject to a descriptive adjective predicate; replace with 他很高 (Tā hěn gāo).
Corrected example: 他很高。
他很高。
Correct replacement for neutral description: the subject is followed directly by 很 (hěn) and the adjective 高 (gāo).
Frequently asked questions
Does 很 (hěn) always translate to 'very' in English?
No. In a simple description such as 他很高, unstressed 很 can have a weak degree meaning, so “He is tall” may be the natural translation. Stress and context can also support “very”. Do not treat 很 as always meaning “very”, or as always having no degree meaning.
Is a Chinese sentence ever correct with just a subject and a bare adjective?
Yes. Clear contrasts and short answers are common examples, not the only possible contexts. Whether a bare adjective sounds natural depends on the adjective and the surrounding discourse. 很 + Adjective is a useful default for many simple beginner descriptions.
Which negation word do I use with adjective predicates at HSK 1?
For standard state descriptions at HSK 1, negate adjective predicates with 不 (bù), as in 不忙 (bù máng, not busy) or 不冷 (bù lěng, not cold).
