Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 够 gòu is used to indicate “sufficiency”, “enough” or “adequacy”, and it can have different meanings and functions depending on the context.
Structure
(S) + O + 够 gòu + Verb
(S) + 够 gòu + Verb + O
够 gòu can be used in both positive and negative constructions to express enough or not enough. It can also be used to show that something meets the required amount, not just a quantity but also in terms of quality (like skills, effort, etc.).
你的錢不夠買手機你的钱不够买手机
Your money is not enough to buy a phone.
這些酒根本不夠喝,還有沒有啊?这些酒根本不够喝,还有没有啊?
This alcohol is totally not enough. Is there any more?
你確定這些錢夠用嗎?你确定这些钱够用吗?
Are you sure this money is enough?
台北物價這麼貴,薪水完全不夠用台北物价这么贵,薪水完全不够用
The cost of living in Taipei is so high; my salary is completely insufficient.
(S) + 够 gòu + Adj
In this structure, 了 le can’t be used when it’s negated.
你的中文已經夠好了,不用學了你的中文已经够好了,不用学了
Your Chinese is already good enough; you don’t need to study anymore.
我想當模特兒,你覺得我夠高(了)嗎?我想当模特儿,你觉得我够高(了)吗?
I want to be a model. Do you think I’m tall enough?
已經夠漂亮了,根本不需要化妝已经够漂亮了,根本不需要化妆
You’re already pretty enough; there’s no need for makeup at all.
夠多了,不要再加了够多了,不要再加了
That’s enough; don’t add any more.
我不夠聰明,所以請你找別人買你的產品我不够聪明,所以请你找别人买你的产品
I’m not smart enough.
Common Usage
有够 yǒugòu
有够 yǒugòu is a colloquial and emphatic way of expressing that something is very, extremely, or super(often with a negative connotation or exaggeration). It’s commonly used in spoken Chinese to emphasize the intensity of an adjective.
今天天氣有夠熱今天天气有够热
The weather today is so hot!
昨天的交通有夠糟,我花了三個小時才到家!昨天的交通有够糟,我花了三个小时才到家!
The traffic yesterday was terrible—it took me three hours to get home!
這家店的服務態度有夠差这家店的服务态度有够差
The service at this shop is so bad!
够了 gòule
够了 gòule is versatile and often used to express sufficiency, reaching a limit, or even frustration depending on the context. It’s commonly heard in everyday conversations and often used to show that someone is fed up or can’t take something anymore.
我聽夠了這些無聊的借口!我听够了这些无聊的借口!
I’ve had enough of these lame excuses!
你動不動就生氣,我真的受夠了你动不动就生气,我真的受够了
You get angry so easily; I’ve really had enough!
你說夠了沒有你说够了没有
Have you said enough yet?
行了,鬧夠了!別再吵了!行了,闹够了!别再吵了!
Alright, that’s enough! Stop arguing!