adj./v. + 得 + 要命

Basic Explanation

The structure "adj./v. + 得 + 要命" is used in Chinese to indicate an extreme degree of something. It literally translates to "so... that it is killing" or "extremely...". It is often used to express a strong degree of a feeling or state.

Usage

This structure is used to describe how extreme an adjective or verb is. The adjective or verb is followed by "得" (de) and "要命" (yàomìng), emphasizing the intensity. Here are some examples:

• Expressing extreme tiredness:

  Example: 我累得要命。
  (Wǒ lèi de yàomìng.)
  - I am extremely tired.

• Expressing extreme happiness:

  Example: 她高兴得要命。
  (Tā gāoxìng de yàomìng.)
  - She is extremely happy.

Examples

Here are some example sentences with "adj./v. + 得 + 要命" to illustrate its usage:

• 这个地方热得要命。
  (Zhège dìfāng rè de yàomìng.)
  - This place is extremely hot.
• 他忙得要命，没有时间休息。
  (Tā máng de yàomìng, méiyǒu shíjiān xiūxi.)
  - He is extremely busy, having no time to rest.
• 我饿得要命，赶快吃饭吧。
  (Wǒ è de yàomìng, gǎnkuài chīfàn ba.)
  - I am extremely hungry, let's eat quickly.
• 孩子们玩得要命，不想回家。
  (Háizimen wán de yàomìng, bù xiǎng huí jiā.)
  - The children are having extreme fun, not wanting to go home.