Degree Complement: 得很, 极了, 死了
程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了
Express extreme degrees using the complements 得很, 极了, and 死了
Add 得很, 极了, or 死了 after an adjective or psychological verb to express an extreme degree. 得很 means "very/quite," 极了 means "extremely," and 死了 is colloquial for "to death / incredibly."
得很 is relatively neutral in register. 极了 is emphatic but appropriate in all contexts. 死了 is very colloquial and informal — use it in casual speech with friends, not in formal writing. These complements come after the adjective, unlike 很 which comes before.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Degree Complement: 得很, 极了, 死了 (程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了 pattern
New here?
Understanding 程度补语1：形容词/心理动词+得很/极了/死了
You already know 很 (very) as a degree adverb that goes before adjectives: 很好, 很大. Now you are learning degree complements that go after adjectives and psychological verbs to express even stronger degrees. 得很 means "quite / very" and is placed after the adjective: 累得很 (quite tired). 极了 means "extremely" and expresses a higher degree: 冷极了 (extremely cold). 死了 is the most colloquial and dramatic — it literally means "to death" and is used in casual speech: 忙死了 (busy to death / incredibly busy). These post-adjective complements add variety and expressiveness to your Chinese. They are especially common in spoken language where emotions and physical states are being described with emphasis. Note that when using 得很, the adjective does NOT take 很 before it — 得很 replaces the pre-adjective 很.
Key Points
- 得很 (de hěn) = quite / very — moderate emphasis: 好得很 (quite good).
- 极了 (jí le) = extremely — strong emphasis: 冷极了 (extremely cold).
- 死了 (sǐ le) = incredibly / to death — colloquial, very strong: 忙死了 (incredibly busy).
- These go AFTER the adjective, unlike 很 which goes before: compare 很累 vs. 累得很.
- Psychological verbs work too: 喜欢极了 (like extremely much), 高兴死了 (incredibly happy).
- Do not use 很 before the adjective when using these complements — they replace 很.
- 死了 should only be used in casual speech — avoid it in formal contexts.
Chinese speakers love using 死了 in casual conversation for dramatic effect. Saying 热死了 (hot to death) on a summer day is perfectly normal — nobody takes it literally. This kind of hyperbolic expression is a hallmark of lively, informal Chinese and shows you are comfortable with the language.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我累得很。
I am quite tired.
外面冷极了。
It is extremely cold outside.
这个游戏孩子们喜欢极了。
The children like this game extremely much.
Psychological verb + 极了
他们今天忙死了。
They are incredibly busy today.
Colloquial — casual speech
这道菜好吃得很。
This dish is quite delicious.
今天高兴极了！
I am extremely happy today!
考试前我紧张死了。
I was incredibly nervous before the exam.
这本书有意思极了。
This book is extremely interesting.
Common Mistakes
Do not use 很 before the adjective AND 得很 after it — they serve the same function. Choose one or the other.
极了 must come AFTER the adjective, not before it. The adjective comes first, then the degree complement.
死了 works with adjectives and psychological verbs, not action verbs alone. Use an adjective like 难 (difficult) to describe the feeling.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of it as a scale: 得很 (quite) < 极了 (extremely) < 死了 (incredibly/to death).
Never combine 很 before the adjective with a degree complement after it — pick one position for your intensifier.
Use 死了 with friends and in casual texting — it adds personality and humor to your Chinese.
Practice by describing your day: 今天忙极了 / 累死了 / 高兴得很 — these are very natural Chinese expressions.
Homework
Write nine sentences about how you felt today: three using 得很, three using 极了, and three using 死了. Include both adjectives (tired, cold, hungry) and psychological verbs (happy, nervous, excited). Note which sentences are casual and which are suitable for formal contexts.