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Questions & Answers about Das ist viel zu teuer.
Why does viel mean "far" here instead of "much" or "a lot"?
When combined with zu (too), viel acts as an intensifier. While English speakers often say "way too" or "far too", German uses viel zu (literally "much too"). You will see this pattern often, for example in viel zu schnell (way too fast) or viel zu klein (much too small).
Could I say sehr zu teuer instead?
No, that is a common trap! Sehr means "very", so you can say sehr teuer (very expensive). However, you cannot combine sehr with zu. To say something is "way too" or "far too" anything, you must always use viel zu.
The current lesson is about comparatives. Is viel one of the irregular words?
Yes! Viel is the base form. If you wanted to say "more", you would use its irregular comparative form mehr, and for "the most", you would use am meisten. In this specific sentence, we use the base form viel because we are just intensifying zu teuer, not comparing two different items.
How would I change this sentence to say "That is more expensive"?
You would change teuer to its comparative form. But watch out: teuer is slightly irregular and drops its second e when you add the comparative -er ending. So "That is more expensive" translates to Das ist teurer (not teuerer).