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HSK 4 Adverbs of Degree: 十分, 更加, 稍, 稍微, 尤其, and 多么
At HSK 4, expressing degree moves beyond basic words into nuanced modifiers that show formal intensity, comparative increase, slight adjustment, standout examples, and strong exclamation.
大家对这次演出的结果十分满意。
十分 modifies the two-syllable mental adjective 满意 to express a high, non-comparative degree.
Read the full explanation and examples
What This HSK 4 Degree Adverb Group Covers
In the HSK 4 grammar outline, the adverbs of degree (程度副词) category introduces six items: 十分, 更加, 稍, 稍微, 尤其, and 多么. Note that this level designation reflects the supplied syllabus outline rather than a guarantee of what any specific test center administers on a given date.
The outline groups all six as degree adverbs, but their uses differ. 十分 and 更加 modify degree, 稍 and 稍微 can also soften or limit an action, 尤其 highlights a relevant case, and 多么 often adds exclamatory force. They are not six interchangeable words for “very.”
High and Comparative Degree: 十分 and 更加
十分 and 更加 commonly modify adjectives or psychological verbs, such as 十分满意 and 更加清楚. They can sound more formal than 很 and 更. The number of syllables is a useful rhythm clue, not a rule allowing only two-syllable predicates.
- 十分 means 'very' or 'fully'. It states a high absolute degree without comparing one thing to another. It pairs most naturally with disyllabic adjectives and mental verbs.
- 更加 means 'even more' or 'further'. It requires a baseline—either an earlier state or another item—and indicates that the quality has risen above that baseline.
大家对这次演出的结果十分满意。
十分 modifies the two-syllable mental adjective 满意 to express a high, non-comparative degree.
经过详细解释，这个问题变得更加清楚了。
更加 builds on the change introduced by 经过详细解释, showing an increase compared to before.
十分满意 and 更加清楚 are useful four-syllable phrases. Single-syllable adjectives also occur, for example 十分好 and 更加好. A following 了 is not a general requirement for 更加 with a one-syllable adjective. Choose a natural phrase for the intended meaning.
Slight Degree and Polite Softening: 稍 and 稍微
稍 and 稍微 express a small degree or a limited action. Complements such as 一点儿 and 一下 are common, as in 稍微大一点儿 and 稍等一下, but are not compulsory in every predicate: 稍等, 稍微休息 and 稍微偏大 can be natural in context.
稍 is compact and common in phrases such as 稍等 and 稍作休息. 稍微 is flexible in conversation. The predicate still needs a meaning compatible with a small degree, amount or brief action; adding 一下 mechanically does not make every verb suitable.
请您稍等一下，经理马上就来。
稍 pairs compactly with the single-syllable verb 等 and the brief duration complement 一下.
这双鞋稍微大了一点儿，有小一号的吗？
稍微 limits the degree of 大. The expression 了一点儿 makes the small excess explicit. Compare the shorter conversational variant in the next example.
这双鞋稍微大，有小一号的吗？
This can be a natural conversational statement in the fitting context. Adding 了一点儿, as in the earlier example, is another common way to make the small excess explicit; it is not a compulsory grammatical repair.
Singling Out and Exclaiming: 尤其 and 多么
The final two adverbs in this group do more than scale an adjective up or down; they organize how the speaker frames the sentence.
尤其 means “especially” or “in particular.” It highlights something against a wider background supplied by the sentence or the conversation. That background need not be stated first in the same sentence. A useful example is 他喜欢各种运动，尤其喜欢踢足球.
他喜欢各种运动，尤其喜欢踢足球。
尤其 singles out 踢足球 from the broader category 各种运动 introduced in the first clause.
多么 commonly strengthens an exclamation, as in 多么美啊. It also appears in degree clauses such as 无论多么忙 (however busy) or 你知道他多么高兴吗 (Do you know how happy he is?). For a direct question asking age, distance or quantity, use forms such as 多大, 多远 or 多少.
看，山上的风景多么美啊！
多么 pairs with the clause-final particle 啊 to form a strong exclamation rather than a question.
Quick Selection Guide
When choosing among these six adverbs, check the surrounding clause for structural clues:
- Choose 十分 when stating a strong, standalone quality in a polite or formal tone, with no comparison involved.
- Choose 更加 when a change or comparison is already established in the context and the degree increases further.
- Choose 稍 or 稍微 for a small degree, amount or brief action; common partners include 一点儿, 一些 and 一下 when the meaning calls for them.
- Choose 尤其 to highlight a relevant case against a broader background understood from the sentence or conversation.
- Choose 多么 when the sentence is an emotional exclamation, often paired with 啊 at the end.
Frequently asked questions
Can I always swap 稍 and 稍微?
Not always. While they share the same core meaning, 稍 is monosyllabic and prefers fixed, concise phrases like 稍等 or formal written structures. In everyday speech before longer verb phrases or adjectives with 一点儿, two-syllable 稍微 sounds much more natural.
Is 多么 used to ask questions like 'how much' or 'how old'?
For direct questions such as “How old?” or “How much?”, normally use 多大 or 多少. 多么 commonly adds exclamatory force, but can also occur inside a question about degree, as in 你知道他多么高兴吗. Distinguish the question’s function instead of banning 多么 from every sentence with a question mark.
Can I start a brand-new topic with 尤其 without mentioning a broader group first?
No. 尤其 means 'especially' by contrasting one standout item against a wider background. Without a prior general statement or implied group in the context, 尤其 has nothing to single out and sounds incomplete.
