Choosing 过于, 可, 稍, 稍微, and 尤其 in Chinese
过于 / 可 / 稍 / 稍微 / 尤其
These adverbs encode different degree judgments. 过于 says a degree exceeds what is suitable, colloquial 可 adds emphatic degree, 稍 and 稍微 mark a small degree, and 尤其 highlights one case as especially prominent. They normally precede the predicate or focused material and are not interchangeable merely because each affects emphasis.
Published July 27, 2026
Reviewed July 27, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Degree adverb + Gradable Predicate; 尤其 + Highlighted Predicate or Constituent
Read the structure
These adverbs encode different degree judgments. 过于 says a degree exceeds what is suitable, colloquial 可 adds emphatic degree, 稍 and 稍微 mark a small degree, and 尤其 highlights one case as especially prominent. They normally precede the predicate or focused material and are not interchangeable merely because each affects emphasis. Keep the model Degree adverb + Gradable Predicate; 尤其 + Highlighted Predicate or Constituent visible while you compare each sentence.
这件事发生得过于突然。
This happened too suddenly.
Choose the right context
Use 过于 when a degree exceeds a suitable limit. Use 稍 or 稍微 for a small degree and colloquial 可 for emphatic degree. Use 尤其 to highlight the most notable case or respect.
这幅画再画得稍微细一点儿。
Make this painting a little more detailed.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 稍微 after the predicate in the neutral pattern. Do not insert aspect between a degree adverb and its predicate. Do not treat 尤其 as a general replacement for every high-degree adverb.
今天天气冷稍微。
(The weather is slightly cold today.)
Repair the pattern
稍微 follows its predicate: 稍微 normally precedes the gradable predicate it modifies. Aspect splits 过于 from its predicate: 过于 directly modifies 突然 and cannot be separated from it by 了.
今天天气稍微冷一点儿。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这件事发生得过于突然。
This happened too suddenly.
这
Degree adverb
This part occupies the Degree adverb position in the model pattern.
件
Gradable Predicate; 尤其
This part occupies the Gradable Predicate; 尤其 position in the model pattern.
事
Highlighted Predicate or Constituent
This part occupies the Highlighted Predicate or Constituent position in the model pattern.
发生
Degree adverb
This part occupies the Degree adverb position in the model pattern.
得
Gradable Predicate; 尤其
This part occupies the Gradable Predicate; 尤其 position in the model pattern.
过于
Highlighted Predicate or Constituent
This part occupies the Highlighted Predicate or Constituent position in the model pattern.
突然
Degree adverb
This part occupies the Degree adverb position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这件事发生得过于突然。
This happened too suddenly.
这幅画再画得稍微细一点儿。
Make this painting a little more detailed.
她喜欢运动，尤其是游泳。
She likes sports, especially swimming.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 过于 when a degree exceeds a suitable limit.
- Use 稍 or 稍微 for a small degree and colloquial 可 for emphatic degree.
- Use 尤其 to highlight the most notable case or respect.
Do not use it when
- Do not put 稍微 after the predicate in the neutral pattern.
- Do not insert aspect between a degree adverb and its predicate.
- Do not treat 尤其 as a general replacement for every high-degree adverb.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
今天天气冷稍微。
今天天气稍微冷一点儿。
稍微 follows its predicate
稍微 normally precedes the gradable predicate it modifies.
这件事发生得过于了突然。
这件事发生得过于突然。
Aspect splits 过于 from its predicate
过于 directly modifies 突然 and cannot be separated from it by 了.
今天天气冷稍微。
Put 稍微 before 冷.
这件事发生得过于了突然。
Keep 过于突然 intact.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 过于 / 可 / 稍 / 稍微 / 尤其.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 过于 / 可 / 稍 / 稍微 / 尤其. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Choosing 过于, 可, 稍, 稍微, and 尤其 Questions
Are 稍 and 稍微 different?
They overlap in marking a small degree. 稍 is more compact and often more written; 稍微 is common in neutral speech.
Does 可 always mark degree?
No. 可 has several functions. This lesson covers the emphatic degree use listed in the official Level 5 inventory.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 5 item 【五03】, 程度副词：过于、可、稍、稍微、尤其, PDF p. 222
Lists the five Level 5 degree adverbs and supplies examples showing excess, emphasis, slight degree, and special prominence.
Official sourceRevised Mandarin Chinese Dictionary
Ministry of Education, Taiwan · Ministry of Education, Taiwan · 2021
Locator: 稍微 entry ID 129703 and 尤其 entry ID 153736; full entry bodies opened
Defines 稍微 as 略微 and 尤其 as 格外、更加, supporting the small-degree versus special-prominence distinction.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
稍稍稍稍: A Small Controlled Degree
稍稍 overlaps with 稍 and 稍微 but remains a separate established small-degree form.
Compare
特特: Especially in Informal Speech
Colloquial 特 intensifies strongly, unlike 稍微 lowering degree or 过于 exceeding a norm.
Compare
格外 / 极 / 极其格外、极、极其: High Degree
Compare excessive, slight, and highlighted degree with uniformly high degree expressions.
Easy to confuse
尤为尤为: Especially in One Respect
尤其 highlights a case broadly, while 尤为 directly intensifies the following gradable predicate.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
稍稍 overlaps with 稍 and 稍微 but remains a separate established small-degree form.