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plCommon errors
The possible mistakes learners might make when using adjective reduplication are listed as follows.
1. Syntactic Errors
1.1 Addition of multiple degree adverbs
Learners may combine more degree adverbs inappropriately. This often occurs if learners are not sure about the use of 特别, which functions as both an adjective and an adverb.
*她很特别喜欢这首歌。
她特别喜欢这首歌。
这首歌很特别，她很喜欢。
*她很特別喜歡這首歌。
她特別喜歡這首歌。
這首歌很特別，他很喜歡。
1.2 Incorrect word order
Degree adverbs must precede the adjectives or verbs they modify
*他喜欢特别这首歌。
他特别喜欢这首歌。
*他喜歡特別這首歌。
他特別喜歡這首歌。
When other adverbs (e.g. temporal or scope adverbs) occur in the same sentence, learners may find it difficult to arrange them in the correct order.
*我挺一直喜欢他的。
我一直挺喜欢他的。
*全班同学十分都支持这个决定。
全班同学都十分支持这个决定。
*我挺一直喜歡他的。
我一直挺喜歡她的。
*全班同學十分都支持這個決定。
全班同學都十分支持這個決定。
1.3 Misuse with action verbs
Degree adverbs are not suitable for dynamic action verbs. The verbs that can be modified by degree adverbs are modal verbs (能, 会, 可以) or psychological verbs, that express feelings, ability, or mental states (喜欢, 想, 爱, 希望).
*我挺去学校。
我挺喜欢去学校。
*我挺去學校。
我挺喜歡去學校。
2. Semantic errors
2.1 Inappropriate use of degree adverbs in negative contexts
Degree adverbs 十分, 特别, 挺 are typically used to emphasize positive or neutral qualities. When combine with the negation adverb 不, the result often sounds awkward or unnatural, because the intensifying function of the degree adverb conflicts with the negation. A more natural alternative is 不太, which expresses a mild degree of negation and is more acceptable in everyday usage. In a more colloquial context, 不怎么 is used to serve the same function.
*他不十分聪明。
他不太聪明。
他不怎么聪明。
*这道菜不特别好吃。
这道菜不太好吃。
这道菜不怎么好吃。
*他不十分聰明。
他不太聰明。
他不怎麽聰明。
*這道菜不特別好吃。
這道菜不太好吃。
這道菜不怎麽好吃。
Remind learners that “不 + strong degree adverb” often produces unnatural expressions. It is recommended to use 不太 + adjective for a natural, softened negative meaning.
2.2 Word order of negation and degree adverbs affects meaning
The position of 不 relative to the degree adverb changes the interpretation. of the sentence.
不 + degree adverb + 不 + adjective: emphasizes the negative meaning, producing a stronger tone.
不 + degree adverb + adjective: expresses mild or general negation.
他不特别喜欢运动。(mild negation)
他特别不喜欢运动。(strong negation)
Use sentence pairs to help learners distinguish between these subtle but important semantic differences.
3. Pragmatic errors
3.1 Using degree adverbs inappropriate for the register
Learners might misuse degree adverbs because they are unaware of register differences. Some degree adverbs are more appropriate for formal writing or speech (e.g., 十分、非常、特别), while others (e.g., 挺、蛮) are typically in informal spoken Chinese.
3.2 Using formal adverbs in casual speech
今天天气十分好。(Too formal in casual speech with friends)
今天天气挺好。(Appropriate and natural in informal conversation)
3.2 Using informal adverbs in formal writing
这次考试挺重要。(Too casual for academic/formal writing)
这次考试十分重要。(Formally appropriate)
To help learners, present contrastive examples across registers.:
- 他挺累。（spoken, casual）
- 他特别累。（spoken, slightly stronger emphasis）
- 他十分疲累。（written or formal speech）
And encourage learners to identify which version fits the situation. For example:
(In a casual talk between two friends)
我们下午去公园玩吧！今天天气十分好！
→ 我们下午去公园玩吧！今天天气挺好的！
4. Errors caused by native transfer
4.1 Overuse of degree adverbs
Learners may combine several degree adverbs in Mandarin inappropriately.
*我非常特别喜欢这部电影。
我特别喜欢这部电影。
*他十分挺高的。
他挺高的。
*我非常特别喜欢这部电影。我非常特別喜歡這部電影。
我特别喜欢这部电影。我特別喜歡這部電影。
*他十分挺高的。
他挺高的。
4.2 Incorrect position of adverbs
Because some languages allow flexible adverb placement, learners may place the degree adverb incorrectly.
*他喜欢特别这首歌。
他特别喜欢这首歌。
*他喜歡特別這首歌。
他特別喜歡這首歌。
Classroom activity: A Good Art Critic
An even number of students; work in pairs.
15–20 minutes
Paper and pens.
- Draw:
Each student draws a simple picture using vocabulary they have already learned (e.g. people, animals, objects, places). - Observe:
Students exchange drawings and take one minute to look carefully at each other’s picture. - Ask questions:
Students take turns asking adjective-predicate questions about the other’s drawing.
Examples: “人多吗？“车大吗？” “这只猫是什么颜色的？” - Answer:
The other student answers using degree adverbs to describe or evaluate what they see.
Examples: “这个女孩子的眼睛挺大的。”“这个地方十分安静。” “我特别喜欢这本书，因为……。” - Continue:
Students continue asking and answering until time is up, trying to use as many degree adverbs as possible.