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March 24, 2026
非常fēicháng(fei1chang2)
非常 (fēicháng) means 'very' or 'extremely' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to emphasize an adjective or to express a high degree of something, such as emotions, qualities, or experiences. For instance, you might say '非常好' (fēicháng hǎo) to mean 'very good.'
Strokes19Frequency#158DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
非常 is often used in Chinese advertising and social media to emphasize quality or excitement, reflecting the cultural tendency to express enthusiasm and satisfaction. Phrases like '非常好' or '非常喜欢' are common in everyday conversation.
Memory Tip
Think of 非 (fēi) as a 'no' or 'not,' and 常 (cháng) as 'usual' or 'normal.' When you combine them, you get something that is 'not normal,' which helps you remember that '非常' means 'extraordinary' or 'very much.' Imagine a person who is not just good, but extraordinarily talented!
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AI Study Notes for 非常
Quick Contrast
极 (jí) vs 非常 (fēicháng): use 非常 for a broader range of contexts, while 极 often implies a more extreme or ultimate degree.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 非常 with 很 (hěn), which also means 'very,' but 非常 is stronger and more emphatic. Use 非常 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about overusing it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 非常感谢 (fēicháng gǎnxiè - 'thank you very much').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 非常 is key for expressing intensity in descriptions. Students should focus on using it with adjectives to become more fluent in expressing feelings and opinions. It connects well with other HSK 2 vocabulary like 好 (hǎo - 'good') and 漂亮 (piàoliang - 'beautiful').
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly think 非常 is interchangeable with 很 in all contexts; however, 非常 is more emphatic. For example, saying '我非常喜欢这个' (I very like this) is correct, while '我非常好' (I very good) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我很好' (I am very good).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 非常
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非常 (fēicháng) means 'very' or 'extremely' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to emphasize an adjective or to express a high degree of something, such as emotions, qualities, or experiences. For instance, you might say '非常好' (fēicháng hǎo) to mean 'very good.'
When to use 非常
Learners often confuse 非常 with 很 (hěn), which also means 'very,' but 非常 is stronger and more emphatic. Use 非常 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about overusing it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 非常感谢 (fēicháng gǎnxiè - 'thank you very much').
非常 or something close to it
极 (jí) vs 非常 (fēicháng): use 非常 for a broader range of contexts, while 极 often implies a more extreme or ultimate degree.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly think 非常 is interchangeable with 很 in all contexts; however, 非常 is more emphatic. For example, saying '我非常喜欢这个' (I very like this) is correct, while '我非常好' (I very good) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我很好' (I am very good).
Write 非常
非
常
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Grammar Patterns of 非常
非常 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.
