What Does the Phrase "非常" Mean in English?
As a non-native speaker of English, one of the most challenging things to understand is the correct usage and meaning of idiomatic expressions. One of such phrases that may be puzzling to non-native speakers is "非常" (fēi cháng). In this article, we will explore the various ways this expression is used and what it means in English.
The Literal Translation of "非常"
Firstly, it is important to note that "非常" is a Chinese phrase that literally translates to "not normal." However, when it is used in conversational Chinese, it takes on an idiomatic meaning.
The Common Usages of "非常"
"非常" can be used to mean "very" or "extremely." For instance, if you want to say that the weather is extremely hot, you could say "今天的天气非常热" (jīntiān de tiānqì fēi cháng rè). Similarly, you could use this phrase to describe how much you like something, for example, "我非常喜欢这个餐馆的菜" (wǒ fēi cháng xǐ huān zhège cān guǎn de cài).
Another way you could use "非常" is to mean "very much" or a high degree of something. For example, "我非常敬佩你的勇气" (wǒ fēi cháng jìng pèi nǐ de yǒng qì) means "I admire your courage very much."
Other Possible Meanings of "非常"
While "非常" is commonly used to mean "very" or "extremely," it can also be used to mean other things. In some contexts, it can mean "not at all" or "not very." For example, if you ask someone if they like something and they respond "非常好" (fēi cháng hǎo), they could mean "not very good" instead of "very good."
In other situations, "非常" can be used to express a sense of urgency or emergency. For instance, if you are lost and need to ask for directions, you could say "请问，怎么去地铁站？很非常急" (qǐng wèn, zěn me qù dì tiě zhàn? Hěn fēi cháng jí), which means "Excuse me, how do I get to the subway station? It's very urgent."
Conclusion
To sum up, "非常" is an idiomatic expression in Chinese that can be used to mean "very" or "extremely" in most cases. However, it can also take on other meanings depending on the context. As you study the Chinese language, it is essential to understand the correct usage of expressions like "非常" to be able to communicate effectively with native speakers.