Word
这 个 问题 对 他 很 重要。zhè gè wèntí duì tā hěn zhòngyào.
Meaning
This question is very important to him.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of zhè gè wèntí duì tā hěn zhòngyào.
很hěn
very
这zhè
this
个gè
noun classifier
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
Questions & Answers about zhè gè wèntí duì tā hěn zhòngyào.
Why is there no “是” in the sentence?
In Chinese, many adjectives function like stative verbs and can be used directly as predicates. 重要 is an adjective meaning “important,” so 这个问题…很重要 is complete without 是. Using 是 before a predicate adjective is usually unnecessary unless you’re using an emphatic pattern like 是…的 or making a contrast.
What does 很 do here? Does it always mean “very”?
很 is an adverb that often serves as a neutral linker before adjectives in simple statements. It can mean “very,” but in sentences like this it often just avoids an implied contrast or comparison. Without it, 这个问题对他重要 can sound contrastive (“is important (as opposed to not)”) or a bit abrupt. In everyday affirmative statements, using 很 is natural.
Can I say 这个问题对他是很重要的?
Yes, but it adds emphasis or a “fact-stating” tone: “This issue is indeed/definitely very important to him.” The 是…的 frame can also nominalize the description, e.g., when followed by more information or used in written emphasis. It’s stronger than the plain form.
What does 对 mean here, and why not use 给/对于/关于?