特 (tè) VS 异常 (yìcháng)

When used as degree adverbs, both “特” and “异常” indicate a high degree of intensity but are used differently in terms of context and formality.

 

特 (tè)

特 means “especially” or “extraordinary.” It is commonly used in spoken Chinese and can precede an adjective or a verb phrase as an adverbial modifier.

Subject + 特 + Adjective

e.g.

这个星期特冷。(Zhège xīngqī tè lěng.) This week is especially cold.

孩子考上了理想的大学,家人们都特高兴。(Háizi kǎo shàngle lǐxiǎng de dàxué, jiā rénmen dōu tè gāoxìng.) The child got into the ideal university, and the family is especially happy.

她的汉语特流利,已经考过HSK六级了。(Tā de Hànyǔ tè liúlì, yǐjīng kǎoguò HSK liù jí le.) Her Chinese is extraordinarily fluent; she has already passed HSK level 6.

迪士尼特好玩,是我最喜欢去的地方。(Díshìní tè hǎowán, shì wǒ zuì xǐhuān qù de dìfāng.) Disneyland is especially fun; it’s my favorite place to go.

 

Subject + 特 + Verb phrase

e.g.

我们班学生都特期待今年的春游。(Wǒmen bān xuéshēng dōu tè qīdài jīnnián de chūnyóu.) Students in our class are all especially looking forward to this year’s spring outing.

这个人为什么特关心你?(Zhège rén wèishéme tè guānxīn nǐ?) Why does this person care about you so much?

她讲课特有水平,所有学生都喜欢。(Tā jiǎngkè tè yǒu shuǐpíng, suǒyǒu xuéshēng dōu xǐhuān.) Her teaching is exceptionally good; all students like it.

孩子们特欢迎你来我家做客。(Háizimen tè huānyíng nǐ lái wǒ jiā zuòkè.) The children especially welcome you to visit our home.

 

异常 (yìcháng)

异常 means “extremely” or “particularly.” It is often used in written Chinese and conveys a comparative meaning, frequently appearing in sentences with words about time or condition.

异常 can precede an adjective or a mental verb as an adverbial modifier.

Subject + 异常 + Adjective

When “异常” serves as a degree adverb to amplify monosyllabic adjectives, the form “异常地” is commonly used. However, with polysyllabic adjectives, using “地” becomes optional.

e.g.

已经深夜了,这个婴儿却异常(地)兴奋。(Yǐjīng shēnyè le, zhège yīng’ér què yìcháng (de) xīngfèn.) It’s already late at night, but this baby is extremely excited.

接到医院的电话以后,他的情绪异常(地)激动。(Jiē dào yīyuàn de diànhuà yǐhòu, tā de qíngxù yìcháng (de) jīdòng.) After receiving a call from the hospital, his mood became extremely agitated.

分手她的心情异常(地)轻松。(Fēnshǒu hòu tā de xīnqíng yìcháng (de) qīngsōng.)  After the breakup, her mood was exceptionally relaxed.

这条山路异常(地)危险,你一定要小心。(Zhè tiáo shānlù yìcháng (de) wēixiǎn, nǐ yídìng yào xiǎoxīn.) This mountain road is extremely dangerous; you must be careful.

一年没见,你异常地瘦,怎么了?(Yī nián méi jiàn, nǐ yìcháng de shòu, zěnme le?) Haven’t seen you for a year; you’re exceptionally thin, what happened?

今年的雪异常地大。(Jīnnián de xuě yìcháng de dà.) This year’s snow is exceptionally heavy.

 

Subject + 异常 + Mental Verb + Object

e.g.

我异常讨厌这个人,太自大了。(Wǒ yìcháng tǎoyàn zhège rén, tài zìdàle.) I extremely dislike this person; he is too arrogant.

一到冬天我就异常想念家乡。(Yī dào dōngtiān wǒ jiù yìcháng xiǎngniàn jiāxiāng.) Once winter arrives, I especially miss my hometown.

大家小时候都异常地喜欢吃零食。(Dàjiā xiǎoshíhòu dōu yìcháng de xǐhuān chī língshí.) Everyone loved to eat snacks exceptionally when they were children.

结婚以后我异常怀念单身的日子。(Jiéhūn yǐhòu wǒ yìcháng huáiniàn dānshēn de rìzi.) After getting married, I particularly miss the days of being single.

Drag and drop the words and phrases into the correct order

1.
  • 表现得
  • 出色
  • 异常
  • 考试
2.
  • 感兴趣
  • 新技术

 

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