Definitions

to err; to change
tēi (dialect) too; very; also pr. [tuī]

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

忒 is a phono-semantic compound with the heart radical 心 at its base, indicating a semantic connection to the mind or intentions, and the component 弋 above, which originally served a phonetic function. The character historically meant a mistake, error, or deviation from proper conduct. In some northern Chinese dialects, it is used as an adverb meaning “too” or “excessively,” similar to 太, to describe an extreme degree. Thus, its structure combines the psychological concept of error, represented by 心, with a phonetic element that has taken on colloquial roles in regional speech.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天天气好了。

Jīntiān tiānqì tēi hǎo le.

Today's weather is too good.

他跑得快了。

Tā pǎo de tēi kuài le.

He runs too fast.

这顿饭贵了。

Zhè dùn fàn tēi guì le.

This meal is too expensive.

你的衣服漂亮了。

Nǐ de yīfú tēi piàoliang le.

Your clothes are too beautiful.

这部电影无聊了。

Zhè bù diànyǐng tēi wúliáo le.

This movie is too boring.

他说话不客气了。

Tā shuōhuà tēi bù kèqì le.

He speaks too impolitely.

这个地方安静了,有点吓人。

Zhège dìfāng tēi ānjìng le, yǒudiǎn xiàrén.

This place is too quiet, it's a bit scary.

专注于工作,以至于忘了吃饭。

Tā tēi zhuānzhù yú gōngzuò, yǐzhìyú wàngle chīfàn.

She is too focused on work, so much that she forgot to eat.