# HSK 5 Adverbs of Degree: 过于, 相当, 较, 可, 格外, 极其 Grammar Guide | HSKReady Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5-adverbs-ed129bbfd3 Language: en Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-5-adverbs-ed129bbfd3 HSK levels: 5 Updated: 2026-10-23T04:56:47.758Z Scope: published website educational content; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app. Learn how to use the six HSK 5 adverbs of degree (过于, 相当, 较, 可, 格外, 极其) with clear sentence structures, register differences, and common learner errors. Grammar [HSK 5 · Word classes › Adverbs › Degree adverbs](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5#hsk-5-g005) # HSK 5 Adverbs of Degree: 过于, 相当, 较, 可, 格外, and 极其 The HSK 5 outline lists six degree modifiers: 过于、相当、较、可、格外 and 极其. They differ in excess, relative degree, emphasis and register. Learn their usual combinations without turning syllable preferences into a rule that formal adverbs can modify only two-syllable predicates. Subject Adverb of degree Adjective / Mental verb Example sentence 你的要求过于严格，大家很难达到。 nǐ de yāoqiú guòyú yángé, dàjiā hěn nán dádào. Your requirements are overly strict; it is very hard for everyone to meet them. Correct: 过于 modifies the two-syllable adjective 严格 to show an undesirable excess. **Read the full explanation and examples** ## Core Structure and Syllabus Scope The supplied HSK 5 outline lists 过于、相当、较1、可2、格外 and 极其 as degree adverbs. The numerals identify the uses selected in that document. Here 较 expresses relative degree, while 可 adds emphatic degree; do not assume that every dictionary uses the same sense numbering. Like basic degree adverbs, all six words stand directly before an adjective, a stative predicate, or a psychological verb. However, they cannot be swapped freely because they differ sharply in formality, emotional tone, and rhythmic preferences. Subject Adverb of degree Adjective / Mental verb ## Excess, Notable Degree and Relative Degree When evaluating whether a quality is appropriate, measurable, or relative, Chinese speakers choose between 过于, 相当, and 较. Each sets a different benchmark for the listener. - 过于 presents a degree as beyond a suitable or desirable limit, often in a more formal tone than 太. Both 过于严格 and 过于小 are possible; choose the predicate for the meaning you intend. - 相当 means “quite” or “considerably,” presenting a notable degree. It can modify a predicate or occur inside a descriptive complement, as in 写得相当清楚. Its use does not require an objective measurement. - 较 means “relatively” or “comparatively” and is common in concise written comparisons. Natural combinations include 较高、较大 and 较详细; two-syllable predicates do not require an extra 为. 比较 is the more general conversational choice, and the words are not interchangeable in every construction. 你的要求过于严格，大家很难达到。 nǐ de yāoqiú guòyú yángé, dàjiā hěn nán dádào. Your requirements are overly strict; it is very hard for everyone to meet them. Correct: 过于 modifies the two-syllable adjective 严格 to show an undesirable excess. 这份调查报告写得相当清楚。 zhè fèn diàochá bàogào xiě de xiāngdāng qīngchu. This survey report is written quite clearly. 相当 expresses a notable degree of clarity inside the complement 写得相当清楚. The evaluation need not come from an objective measurement. 南部地区的冬季气温较高。 nánbù dìqū de dōngjì qìwēn jiào gāo. Winter temperatures in the southern region are relatively high. Correct: 较 directly precedes the single-syllable adjective 高 in a formal report style. ## Special, Spoken, and Extreme Degree: 格外, 可, and 极其 These three modifiers add emphasis in different ways: 格外 marks a degree that stands out, 可 often gives a conversational exclamation, and 极其 expresses an extreme degree. Their registers differ, but the contexts are not mutually exclusive. 格外 means “especially” or “particularly,” often relative to an ordinary state or a reference situation. Both 格外清新 and 天气格外冷 are natural; the predicate is not restricted to two syllables. 雨后的空气格外清新。 yǔ hòu de kōngqì géwài qīngxīn. The air after the rain is extraordinarily fresh. Correct: 格外 highlights how this specific state stands out from ordinary times. 可 (sense 2) is highly colloquial and emphatic. It expresses the speaker's personal surprise, admiration, or strong feeling. When modifying an adjective, it very frequently pairs with a sentence-final 了 to complete the exclamatory cadence. Subject 可 Adjective 了 外面的风可大了，你多穿点儿衣服。 wàimiàn de fēng kě dà le, nǐ duō chuān diǎnr yīfu. The wind outside is really strong; put on some more clothes. Correct: 可 pairs with sentence-final 了 in casual speech to add strong personal emphasis. 极其 means “extremely” and often suits formal description. It can modify a suitable one- or two-syllable predicate: 极其小 and 极其微小 are both possible. Intensity and natural collocation matter; a two-syllable requirement does not follow from the adverb’s formal tone. 这项技术在当时极其先进。 zhè xiàng jìshù zài dāngshí jíqí xiānjìn. This technology was extremely advanced at that time. 极其 expresses an extreme degree with 先进 in this formal description. ## Natural Combinations and Syllable Preferences Do not judge these combinations by syllable count alone. 过于小、相当好、较高、格外冷 and 极其小 are all possible, while two syllables do not automatically make a phrase natural. The next pair keeps the same meaning and compares the concise 小 with the more descriptive 微小. 这种差别极其小，很难察觉。 Zhè zhǒng chābié jíqí xiǎo, hěn nán chájué. This difference is extremely small and difficult to detect. 极其小 is a natural degree phrase here. A formal adverb does not require a two-syllable adjective. 这种差别极其微小，很难察觉。 Zhè zhǒng chābié jíqí wēixiǎo, hěn nán chájué. This difference is extremely slight and difficult to detect. 微小 is another natural choice for a very slight difference. This is an alternative to 小, not its required correction. Quick check: ask whether you mean excess (过于), a notable degree (相当), relative degree (较), conversational emphasis (可), a degree standing out (格外) or an extreme degree (极其). Then choose the predicate and register that fit your message. ## Frequently asked questions **What is the difference between 过于 and 太?** Both can express excess, but 太 also forms positive exclamations such as 太好了. 过于 more directly presents a degree as exceeding a suitable limit and often sounds more formal. It is not limited to two-syllable predicates: 过于小 is possible. **Can I always replace 比较 with 较?** Not mechanically. 较 usually sounds more concise or written than 比较 and has its own collocations. It can precede single-syllable predicates such as 较高 and longer ones such as 较详细. 较为详细 is also possible, but 为 is not required simply because 详细 has two syllables. **Why does the HSK 5 syllabus list 较1 and 可2 with numbers?** They label the particular uses selected in this outline: relative degree for 较1 and emphatic degree for 可2. The numbers are reference labels here, not universal dictionary sense numbers. Other functions need their own construction and meaning. **Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 398](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=398) ## Continue in the app Full mock exams are available in HSKReady. [![Download on the App Store](https://hskready.app/download-on-app-store-black.svg)Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6791916440?l=en)[![Get it on Google Play](https://hskready.app/get-it-on-google-play.svg)Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.curiolab.hskready&hl=en) [HSKReady App](https://hskready.app/en/app)