zhè piān zuòwén hěn zhòngyào.

very

Breakdown of zhè piān zuòwén hěn zhòngyào.

• 这zhè: this
• 重要zhòngyào: important
• 篇piān: essay classifier

Questions & Answers about zhè piān zuòwén hěn zhòngyào.

Why do we need 很 here? Does it always mean “very”?

In sentences like 这篇作文很重要, 很 has two roles:

1. Grammatical role (linking):
   In Mandarin, when an adjective is used as the predicate (i.e., “is important,” “is big”), it usually needs a degree word in front.
   Pattern: Subject + 很 + Adjective
   So 这篇作文很重要 is the normal, neutral way to say “This composition is important.”

2. Degree meaning:
   Often 很 is not as strong as English “very.” In everyday speech it’s closer to a neutral “is” plus a light degree, something like “quite / really / is (adj).”

   • 他很高。 = He’s tall. (not necessarily “very tall,” just “tall”)

If you really want to emphasize “very,” you can use stronger words like 非常, 特别, or 挺…的:

• 这篇作文非常重要。 – This composition is very / extremely important.
• 这篇作文特别重要。 – This composition is especially important.

Can I say 这篇作文是很重要 with 是?