很贵 (hěnguì) means 'very expensive'. It is commonly used to describe the high cost of items or services, often expressing a feeling of surprise or discontent regarding the price. This phrase can be employed in both casual conversations and in more serious discussions about budgeting or financial decisions.
HSK 2, 16 strokes, Hard
hěnguì(hen3gui4) T3
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May 27, 2026
很贵hěnguì(hen3gui4)
很贵 (hěnguì) means 'very expensive'. It is commonly used to describe the high cost of items or services, often expressing a feeling of surprise or discontent regarding the price. This phrase can be employed in both casual conversations and in more serious discussions about budgeting or financial decisions.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the perception of price can be quite significant, often reflecting quality, status, and social standing. Saying something is '很贵' can also imply a discussion on value versus cost, something that is important in many purchasing decisions.
Memory Tip
Imagine you walk into a shop and see a beautiful piece of furniture that catches your eye, but when you check the price tag, it makes your wallet scream in horror! The character '贵' (guì) resembles a 'squashed wallet' symbolizing high costs, and '很' (hěn) means 'very', emphasizing just how shocked you are by the price.
About 很贵
很贵Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryHSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 很贵
Podcast: 很贵
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AI Study Notes for 很贵
Quick Contrast
贵 (guì) vs 昂贵 (ángguì) — use 很贵 for common situations while 昂贵 carries a more formal tone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you walk into a shop and see a beautiful piece of furniture that catches your eye, but when you check the price tag, it makes your wallet scream in horror! The character '贵' (guì) resembles a 'squashed wallet' symbolizing high costs, and '很' (hěn) means 'very', emphasizing just how shocked you are by the price.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse '贵' with '便宜' (piányí), which means 'cheap'. It’s important to remember the context in which you use '很贵'—it is an expression of surprise or disappointment rather than a neutral statement. Additionally, avoid mispronouncing '贵' as 'guǐ', which changes the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 2, focus on using '很贵' in context, such as shopping dialogues or discussing expenses. This word connects well with vocabulary related to money (e.g., 钱 qián - money) and other adjectives like '便宜' (cheap) to compare prices.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the perception of price can be quite significant, often reflecting quality, status, and social standing. Saying something is '很贵' can also imply a discussion on value versus cost, something that is important in many purchasing decisions.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '贵' without '很' (hěn), such as saying '贵' alone, which sounds incomplete in conversation. Remember to say '很贵' to properly convey your meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 很贵
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Cultural Notes for 很贵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the perception of price can be quite significant, often reflecting quality, status, and social standing. Saying something is '很贵' can also imply a discussion on value versus cost, something that is important in many purchasing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 很贵
You can use it like this: '这个包很贵' (zhège bāo hěn guì) means 'This bag is very expensive.'
'贵' can describe both items and services. For example, you can say '这家餐厅很贵' (zhè jiā cāntīng hěn guì) meaning 'This restaurant is very expensive.'
'很贵' is appropriate in informal and semi-formal contexts. In very formal situations, you might want to use a more nuanced expression about cost.
