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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "extremely" with 不得了 (bùdéliǎo) as a complement

    HSK 4
    Degree & Intensity

    Structure

    Adjective + 得 + 不得了

    Explanation

    The word 不得了 is used after an adjective as a complement to express an extreme degree, meaning "extremely" or "terribly." It emphasizes that the quality described by the adjective has reached an overwhelming level. For example, 热得不得了 means "extremely hot."

    Examples

    • 今天热得不得了，出门都受不了。

      jīntiān rè de bùdéliǎo, chūmén dōu shòu bù liǎo.

      It's unbearably hot today; you can't even stand going outside.

    • 听到这个消息，她高兴得不得了。

      tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā gāoxìng de bùdéliǎo.

      When she heard the news, she was overjoyed.

    • 期末考试前，他忙得不得了。

      qīmò kǎoshì qián, tā máng de bùdéliǎo.

      Before the final exams, he was incredibly busy.