Hēn, hén, hěn, hèn...

[torakiyoshi]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't a language make sense? At least a little? The most common use of hen (很, hěn) is "very" as used with 好, hăo, "good." But look at the meaning of words that rhyme with 很, including one that it's the same tone, 佷, which had only one small stroke difference as written, and it means "on the contrary," probably with

Comments

[c_eagle]

"How do people communicate at all successfully in Mandarin?!" ... an often considered question! It's been said it can take a lifetime to learn :D

[torakiyoshi]

Indeed. It is readily apparent why so many expats in Harbin simply stick with English.