These three sit at opposite ends of the intensity scale — 稍稍 shāoshāo barely nudges a degree, while 萬分万分 wànfēn maxes it out completely.
1 頗颇 pǒ — “Quite / Rather” (Literary)
A formal, slightly classical-flavored cousin of 相當相当 xiāngdāng. Often appears as 頗為颇为 pǒwéi or 頗感颇感 pǒ gǎn before a two-syllable word.
他的新書頗受好評他的新书颇受好评
His new book has received quite favorable reviews.
這個決定頗為冒險这个决定颇为冒险
This decision is rather risky.
對於這個結果，他頗感意外对于这个结果，他颇感意外
He was quite surprised at this result.
這場演講頗有深度这场演讲颇有深度
This speech had quite a lot of depth.
他頗有經驗，處理起這種問題來得心應手他颇有经验，处理起这种问题来得心应手
He’s quite experienced, handling this kind of problem comes easily to him.
2 稍稍 shāoshāo — “Slightly” (Gentle, Literary)
A softer, doubled form of 稍 shāo — feels gentler and more literary than 稍微 shāowéi稍微 shāowēi.
請稍稍等候，馬上就好请稍稍等候，马上就好
Please wait just a moment, it’ll be ready right away.
聽到這個消息，她稍稍鬆了一口氣听到这个消息，她稍稍松了一口气
Hearing this news, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
這個計畫需要稍稍調整这个计划需要稍稍调整
This plan needs a slight adjustment.
他猶豫了一下，然後稍稍點了點頭他犹豫了一下，然后稍稍点了点头
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.
她稍稍側過身子，避開了他的視線她稍稍侧过身子，避开了他的视线
She turned her body slightly, avoiding his gaze.
3 萬分万分 wànfēn — “Extremely” (Intense Emotion)
Literally “ten-thousand parts” — reserved for the most intense emotional states: 感謝感谢 gǎnxiè, 抱歉 bàoqiàn, 高興高兴 gāoxìng, 無助无助 wúzhù.
對於這次的誤會，我感到萬分抱歉对于这次的误会，我感到万分抱歉
I’m extremely sorry about this misunderstanding.
得知這個好消息，全家萬分高興得知这个好消息，全家万分高兴
Upon hearing this good news, the whole family was overjoyed.
面對突如其來的變故，她萬分無助面对突如其来的变故，她万分无助
Facing this sudden turn of events, she felt utterly helpless.
對您的幫助，我萬分感謝对您的帮助，我万分感谢
I’m extremely grateful for your help.
得知孩子平安歸來，父母萬分欣慰得知孩子平安归来，父母万分欣慰
Upon learning the child had returned safely, the parents were extremely relieved.
| Word | Meaning | Register & Use |
|---|
| 頗颇 pǒ |
Quite, rather |
Formal, classical-flavored |
| 稍稍 shāoshāo |
Slightly, a little |
Gentle, literary |
| 萬分万分 wànfēn |
Extremely |
Intense, emotional register only |
4 Common Mistake
萬分万分 wànfēn is reserved for strong emotional words — pairing it with a plain, factual adjective sounds overwrought.
❌
這件衣服萬分大这件衣服万分大
✅
這件衣服太大了这件衣服太大了
萬分万分 wànfēn belongs with strong emotional or evaluative words like 感謝感谢 gǎnxiè or 抱歉抱歉 bàoqiàn — using it for a plain physical description like 大大 dà sounds theatrical and out of place. 太 tài fits here instead.
5 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01This restaurant’s reputation is quite good.
這家餐廳的名聲頗佳这家餐厅的名声颇佳
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02Please turn the volume down slightly.
請把音量稍稍調低请把音量稍稍调低
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03I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s support.
對大家的支持，我萬分感激对大家的支持，我万分感激
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04Is his attitude quite arrogant?
他的態度頗為傲慢嗎？他的态度颇为傲慢吗？
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05He slightly frowned, seeming a little worried.
他稍稍皺了皺眉，似乎有些擔心他稍稍皱了皱眉，似乎有些担心
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06She was extremely anxious waiting for the test results.
等待檢驗結果時，她萬分焦慮等待检验结果时，她万分焦虑
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07This proposal still needs a slight modification.
這份提案仍需要稍稍修改这份提案仍需要稍稍修改
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08This region’s climate is quite dry.
這個地區的氣候頗為乾燥这个地区的气候颇为干燥
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09She was extremely embarrassed and didn’t know what to say.
她萬分尷尬，不知道該說什麼她万分尴尬，不知道该说什么
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10His explanation is quite reasonable.
他的解釋頗為合理他的解释颇为合理
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