非常

Extremely (Formal)

Level 3Sounds Like fei1 soeng4

非常 (fei1 soeng4) is a formal way to say 'extremely.' While 好 (hou2) is the everyday word for 'very,' 非常 is used for higher emphasis or in professional settings. In spoken Cantonese, it is very often used as 非常之 (fei1 soeng4 zi1).

How It Works

1. The Role of 之 (zi1)
In spoken Cantonese, the two-syllable 非常 (fei1 soeng4) is typically followed by the classical particle 之 (zi1). This creates a three-syllable intensifier 非常之 (fei1 soeng4 zi1). While you can use 非常 alone in writing, omitting the 之 in speech can sound more formal or written.

2. Usage with Adjectives and Verbs
It attaches to:

  • Adjectives: 非常之貴 (fei1 soeng4 zi1 gwai3) - Extremely expensive.
  • Psychological Verbs: 非常之擔心 (fei1 soeng4 zi1 daam1 sam1) - Extremely worried.

3. Register and Nuance
非常 is stronger than 幾 (gei2) and 好 (hou2). It is the standard choice for news, formal speeches, and professional emails. In casual settings, using it too often can make you sound a bit stiff, like a textbook, unless you are genuinely trying to emphasize that something is 'extraordinary.'

4. Negation
You cannot say 唔非常. To express 'not very,' you should use 唔係好 (m4 hai6 hou2) or 唔係幾 (m4 hai6 gei2).

Examples (5)

  1. 呢度嘅交通非常之方便。

    The transportation here is extremely convenient.

    Word by Word: This place possessive traffic extremely convenient.

    This is a common way to describe facilities or services in a slightly formal or descriptive tone.

  2. 我非常之多謝你嘅幫忙。

    I am extremely grateful for your help.

    Word by Word: I extremely thank you possessive help.

    Using 非常之 (fei1 soeng4 zi1) here adds a level of sincerity and politeness beyond a simple 'thank you.'

  3. 呢件事非常之重要，你唔好唔記得呀。

    This matter is extremely important; don't forget it.

    Word by Word: This matter extremely important, you don't forget [particle].

    非常之 (fei1 soeng4 zi1) is used here to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

  4. 佢非常之鍾意食廣東菜。

    He likes eating Cantonese food extremely much.

    Word by Word: He extremely like eat Guangdong cuisine.

    Here, the intensifier is paired with the psychological verb 鍾意 (zung1 ji3 - to like).

  5. 今日嘅天氣非常之熱。

    Today's weather is extremely hot.

    Word by Word: Today possessive weather extremely hot.

    Used to emphasize that the heat is beyond the usual 'hot' (好熱).

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 非常好 is not natural without 之 (zi1).

    Different Meaning佢份人非常好。
    佢份人非常之好。

    非常好 is natural and common in speech. 非常之好 is also very common and sounds a little stronger and more rhythmic.

  • Directly negating with '唔' (m4).

    間房唔非常大。
    間房唔係幾大。

    You cannot place '唔' directly before '非常'. To say 'not very,' use '唔係幾' or '唔係好'.

  • Overusing it in very casual contexts.

    Different Meaning粒糖非常之甜。
    粒糖好甜呀。

    Using '非常之' for trivial things like a piece of candy can sound overly dramatic or stiff. Use '好' for everyday observations.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

非常Level 3Extremely (Formal)

Learn This First

To understand '非常', a learner needs to be familiar with how degree markers modify adjectives in Cantonese. It is helpful to first know the common spoken equivalent '好' (very) to appreciate that '非常' is used for greater intensity and in more formal contexts.

Words in This Pattern