Emphasize a degree with 得很
形容词 + 得很
How it works
得很 puts a high degree after an adjective. It often sounds emphatic and subjective in conversation: 忙得很 is roughly “very busy indeed.” 得 is neutral-tone de.
Compare 很忙 and 忙得很. Both express a high degree, but their emphasis differs. The second is not inherently more formal or literary; the tone of the whole sentence matters.
The pattern
Example sentences
我今天忙得很。
I am very busy today.
这里安静得很。
It is very quiet here.
Pinyin generally shows citation tones; tones can change in connected speech.
What to watch for
Use 得 in this complement, not 的 or 地. Avoid presenting 得很 as a special formal-writing alternative to 很.
Try it
Rephrase 这里很安静 using 得很.
Show answer
这里安静得很。 Zhèlǐ ānjìng de hěn. It is very quiet here.
Syllabus reference
The topic is listed in the official 2025 syllabus. The explanation, examples and practice on this page are written for SenMandarin.
Related reading · old HSK 2.0
SenMandarin · Updated 2026-10-22