Usage and Examples of 够 (gòu) – Learn the three main uses of the Chinese word 够 (gòu) meaning “enough, sufficient, or adequate”
1 够 as a Stative Verb (Adjective)
When used as a stative verb (adjective), 够 (gòu) directly means “enough” or “sufficient.” It can be used alone or with 不 (bù) to form the negative “not enough.” This is the most basic and common usage of 够.
Examples: 够 as a Stative Verb
Key Characteristics
When 够 is used as a stative verb:
- It functions like an adjective meaning “enough” or “sufficient”.
- Can be used alone or with 不 (bù) for negation.
- Often follows a noun or quantity phrase.
- Can be used in questions with the 够不够 pattern.
2 够 as an Adverb before Stative Verbs
When 够 (gòu) is used as an adverb preceding a stative verb (adjective), it means “sufficiently” or “adequately.” The structure is 够 + Stative Verb, and it often indicates that something meets a minimum standard or threshold.
Examples: 够 + Stative Verb
够 as Stative Verb
Meaning: Something is enough or not enough.
Example: 两盘菜不够。
(Two dishes are not enough.)
Question form: 够不够？ (Is it enough?)
够 + Stative Verb
Meaning: Something is sufficiently [adjective].
Example: 不够甜。
(Not sweet enough.)
Common SV: 大 (big), 小 (small), 多 (many), 少 (few), 好 (good), etc.
3 够 as an Adverb before Verbs
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Practice Exercises
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