Definition
半死 literally means 'half-dead', but as a complement in the pattern 'Verb + 得 + 半死', it functions as an intensifier indicating that the action or state reaches an extreme degree. It is similar to English 'to death' or 'extremely'. You can use it with verbs like 气 (angry), 累 (tired), 吓 (scared), etc.
cmp.
(complement) used after 得 to indicate an extreme degreeequivalent to 'to death' or 'extremely'
Examples
- 半死。Tā lèi de bàn sǐ.He was dead tired.
- 半死。Wǒ è de bàn sǐ.I was starving to death.
- 半死。Tā xià de bàn sǐ.She was scared to death.
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