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March 24, 2026
太tài(tai4)
The character '太' (tài) generally means 'too' or 'very,' expressing an excessive degree of something. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to indicate that something is more than desirable, such as '太热了' (tài rè le - too hot). In addition, it can also denote the highest degree of something, making it versatile in both positive and negative contexts.
Strokes4Radical大Frequency#67DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
'太' is frequently used in Chinese expressions of surprise or emphasis, showcasing the cultural value placed on expressing feelings vividly. For example, '太好了' (tài hǎo le - that's great) is a common expression of joy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant (太) standing next to a small object, emphasizing that the giant is 'too big' compared to it. The character has a horizontal stroke on top representing the 'greatness' or 'highness,' while the bottom part can remind you of the idea of excess.
Meanings of 太
tài(tai4)
1highest
2greatest
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 太
太Simplified
4Strokes
大Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#67Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 太
Podcast: 太
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AI Study Notes for 太
Quick Contrast
太 (tài) vs 非常 (fēicháng) — use 太 for indicating excessiveness or a high degree, while 非常 emphasizes a strong degree without the connotation of excess.
Usage Notes
Learners often misuse '太' by omitting the context, leading to confusion. For instance, saying '太好' (tài hǎo - too good) is acceptable, but without context, it may sound odd. Remember that '太' is informal, so in formal writing, consider alternatives like '非常' (fēicháng).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, '太' is foundational for expressing degrees of adjectives. Students should focus on using it in simple sentences and recognizing it in common phrases. Connect it with other adjectives learned at this level to enhance vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '太' with '很' (hěn), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '太好' is correct, but saying '太' for moderate expressions like '很高' (hěn gāo - very high) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 太
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Addition of a dot to 大 (dà; big) to mean "very" or "extremely".
1The giveawayA giant 大 with a normal-sized man 丶 for scale
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 太? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 太?
Decomposition of 太
IDS Structure⿵大丶
太Full Character
=
大da4
enclosing
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 太?
How to say highest in Chinese
“highest” in Chinese is太tài
The character '太' (tài) generally means 'too' or 'very,' expressing an excessive degree of something. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to indicate that something is more than desirable, such as '太热了' (tài rè le - too hot). In addition, it can also denote the highest degree of something, making it versatile in both positive and negative contexts.
When to use 太
Learners often misuse '太' by omitting the context, leading to confusion. For instance, saying '太好' (tài hǎo - too good) is acceptable, but without context, it may sound odd. Remember that '太' is informal, so in formal writing, consider alternatives like '非常' (fēicháng).
太 or something close to it
太 (tài) vs 非常 (fēicháng) — use 太 for indicating excessiveness or a high degree, while 非常 emphasizes a strong degree without the connotation of excess.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '太' with '很' (hěn), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '太好' is correct, but saying '太' for moderate expressions like '很高' (hěn gāo - very high) can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 太
太
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Practice writing 太 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 太
太 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
