Japanese Adjective Intensity: Using とても, かなり, すごく, and ちょっと
Learn to modify Japanese adjectives with intensity words meaning very, quite, really, and a bit, and distinguish them from frequency adverbs like よく and ときどき.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Japanese, adjectives can be strengthened or softened by placing an intensity adverb before them. This lesson teaches four common modifiers: とても (very), かなり (quite/fairly), すごく (really), and ちょっと (a bit). These words answer the question 'How much?' rather than 'How often?' Frequency adverbs such as よく (often) and ときどき (sometimes) describe repetition, while intensity adverbs describe degree. You will learn where to place each modifier, how polite each one sounds, and how to avoid mixing them with frequency expressions.
By the end, you can…
- place とても, かなり, すごく, and ちょっと correctly before Japanese adjectives.
- distinguish intensity adverbs from frequency adverbs in simple sentences.
- choose a modifier that matches the politeness level of a conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
今日はとても寒いです。
It is very cold today.
Kyō wa totemo samui desu.
とても is a neutral, polite intensifier. It works with both i-adjectives and na-adjectives.
この本はかなり面白いです。
This book is quite interesting.
Kono hon wa kanari omoshiroi desu.
かなり suggests a higher degree than とても in many contexts, but it is still appropriate in polite speech.
その映画はすごくよかったです。
That movie was really good.
Sono eiga wa sugoku yokatta desu.
すごく is common in casual and semi-polite conversation. It is more emphatic and emotional than とても.
今日はちょっと暑いです。
It is a bit hot today.
Kyō wa chotto atsui desu.
ちょっと softens the adjective. It can also make a complaint sound less direct.
この料理はとてもおいしいです。
This dish is very delicious.
Kono ryōri wa totemo oishii desu.
Use とても with おいしい to praise food politely without sounding exaggerated.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is: intensity adverb + adjective + です. For example, とても寒いです (totemo samui desu) means 'It is very cold,' and ちょっと高いです (chotto takai desu) means 'It is a bit expensive.' The modifier comes directly before the adjective. With na-adjectives, the same pattern works: とても静かです (totemo shizuka desu) means 'It is very quiet,' and かなり便利です (kanari benri desu) means 'It is quite convenient.' Do not add の or な between the adverb and the adjective.
When to use it
Use とても in polite, neutral statements, such as とても嬉しいです (totemo ureshii desu), 'I am very happy.' Use かなり when something is more than expected but not extreme: かなり難しいです (kanari muzukashii desu), 'It is quite difficult.' Use すごく in casual conversation or when you want strong personal feeling: すごく疲れた (sugoku tsukareta), 'I am really tired.' Use ちょっと to soften a negative or sensitive comment: ちょっと高いです (chotto takai desu), 'It is a bit expensive.' Avoid using よく or ときどき here, because they describe frequency, not intensity.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
今日はちょっと寒いですね。
It is a bit cold today, isn't it?Kyō wa chotto samui desu ne.そうですね。でも、私はかなり元気です。
Yes, it is. But I am quite well.Sō desu ne. Demo, watashi wa kanari genki desu.この店のラーメンはすごくおいしいですよ。
The ramen at this shop is really delicious.Kono mise no rāmen wa sugoku oishii desu yo.じゃあ、とても楽しみです。
Then I am really looking forward to it.Jā, totemo tanoshimi desu.A little context goes a long way
Japanese speakers often soften strong opinions with ちょっと, especially when giving a negative comment. Saying ちょっと高いです can sound more considerate than とても高いです, which may sound blunt. In formal situations, とても and かなり are safer than すごく, which is common in casual conversation.
One thing to watch for
Using a frequency adverb such as よく to mean 'very' before an adjective, as in よく寒いです。
Try this instead: Use an intensity adverb instead: とても寒いです (totemo samui desu) means 'It is very cold.' よく means 'often' and describes frequency, not degree.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate into Japanese: 'This bag is quite expensive.'
Show a sample answer
このかばんはかなり高いです。
かなり expresses 'quite' and comes directly before the i-adjective 高い. とても高いです is also grammatical, but it means 'very expensive' rather than 'quite expensive.'
2Which word softens the adjective in 今日はちょっと暑いです?
Show a sample answer
ちょっと
ちょっと means 'a bit' and reduces the strength of 暑い. とても, かなり, and すごく would all make the statement stronger instead.
3Choose the correct sentence: すごく静かです or すごく静かなです?
Show a sample answer
すごく静かです
With a na-adjective such as 静か, the modifier comes directly before the adjective and です follows. 静かなです is not the standard polite pattern here.
Place とても, かなり, すごく, or ちょっと directly before an adjective to show intensity, and remember that frequency adverbs like よく answer a different question.
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