How to use 挺……的
挺 + Adj. + 的
挺 before an adjective gives a conversational evaluation of degree, often rendered as “quite,” “rather,” or “pretty.” 的 commonly appears at the end of the descriptive phrase. The construction can express a favorable observation, a reservation, or a plain assessment, depending on the adjective and the situation.
Suitable psychological verbs also fit when they describe a feeling or attitude that varies in strength. In longer predicates, objects remain inside the phrase before final 的. The degree is relative to context, and the expression does not always imply weak enthusiasm. Do not combine several ordinary degree adverbs mechanically. Learn the common 挺 pattern as a complete way of presenting the speaker's assessment.
Examples with pinyin and English
这个老师挺年轻的。
This teacher is quite young.
你男朋友挺帅的。
Your boyfriend is pretty handsome.
最近大家都挺忙的。
We've all been quite busy lately.
这件衣服大小挺合适的。
The size of this piece of clothing is quite suitable.
What to remember
- Put 挺 before the graded predicate.
- 的 commonly closes the phrase.
- Some feelings and attitude verbs also fit.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.