很 + 形容词 hěn + xíngróngcí
很 + 形容词（hěn + xíngróngcí）means “Adjective as predicate: use 很 + adjective, not 是”. In Chinese an adjective is the predicate by itself — do NOT put 是 before it. Formation: 主语 + 很 + 形容词（肯定句不用「是」）
Adjective as predicate: use 很 + adjective, not 是
HSK1Formation
主语 + 很 + 形容词（肯定句不用「是」）
Explanation
In Chinese an adjective is the predicate by itself — do NOT put 是 before it. A bare 'subject + adjective' implies a comparison, so 很 is added as a default filler; here 很 is bleached and does not really mean 'very'. To truly stress 'very', use 非常/太 or stress 很.
Examples
Note
❌ 他是高 ✅ 他很高. Negate with 不: 他不高.
FAQ
很 + 形容词 — what does it mean and how is it used?
Adjective as predicate: use 很 + adjective, not 是. In Chinese an adjective is the predicate by itself — do NOT put 是 before it. A bare 'subject + adjective' implies a comparison, so 很 is added as a default filler; here 很 is bleached and does not really mean 'very'. To truly stress 'very', use 非常/太 or stress 很.
很 + 形容词 — how do you form it?
主语 + 很 + 形容词（肯定句不用「是」）
很 + 形容词 — any usage notes?
❌ 他是高 ✅ 他很高. Negate with 不: 他不高.