“够” as Adverb and as Verb

In Chinese, “够” (gòu) works as two different parts of speech:

1. as an adverb — it marks a high degree; 2. as a verb — it says that an amount suffices, or that a standard has been reached.

1. “够” as an adverb

As an adverb, “够” says the degree is quite high.

够 + adjective + 的

Depending on the situation: quite … plenty … pretty … actually

你的中文水平够高的，这都听懂了！

够 + 高 + 的 quite + high + the emphatic 的

你的中文水平 — your level of Chinese 够高的 — quite high 这都听懂了 — you understood even this

Here “够” emphasises how high the degree is.

As a verb, “够” says that an amount or degree is enough.

In English: be enough suffice

明天请家月和李文来家里吃饭，四个菜够不够？

四个菜 + 够不够？ four dishes + enough or not?

明天 — tomorrow 请家月和李文 — invite Jiayue and Li Wen 来家里吃饭 — come over for a meal 四个菜 — four dishes 够不够 — enough or not

Here “够” asks whether the amount is enough.

我尝了一下，还不够甜，再加一点儿糖吧

不够 + 甜 not enough + sweet

尝了一下 — had a taste 还不够甜 — still not sweet enough 再加一点儿糖吧 — let’s add a bit more sugar

Here “不够甜” says the required degree has not been reached yet.

As an adverb:

够 + adjective + 的 marks a high degree

够高的

As a verb:

够 be enough / suffice

四个菜够不够？

不够甜