Lesson 20: Degree words (rất, khá, hơi, quá, lắm)

Degree words describe intensity—"very," "a bit," or "too." Vietnamese places some before the adjective and some after.

These words appear before the adjective:

Món này rất ngon.
"This dish is very delicious."

Hôm nay hơi lạnh.
"It's a bit cold today."

These words appear after the adjective for clearer emotional impact:

Anh ấy hiền lắm.
"He is very gentle."

Cái này đắt quá!
"This thing is too expensive!"

Lắm feels more conversational than rất. Quá is often used to show excitement or strong feeling, similar to "so!" in English.

Đẹp lắm! (Expressive)
Rất đẹp. (Neutral fact)

While quá can mean "too much" (excessive), context usually clarifies whether you are complaining or just praising.

Nóng quá!
"So hot!" (or "Too hot!")

Bài này hơi khó.
"This lesson is a bit difficult."

Trời đẹp quá nhỉ?
"The weather is so beautiful, isn't it?"

Khá tốt.
"Quite good."

Using quá at the end of an adjective is a great way to sound authentic when you are impressed or reacting to something in the moment.

Thư trạm's guide to vietnamese grammar