过于

Both 过于 (guòyú) and 太 (tài) mean 'too much' or 'excessively.' However, 过于 usually implies that something has gone beyond an acceptable limit, often with a negative connotation or a sense of being out of proportion. 太 can be used for both positive and negative extremes. For example, you can say '这太好了!' (This is too good!) but you wouldn't say '这过于好了!'

Yes, 过于 is commonly used before adjectives to intensify them. For example, '他过于自信了。' (Tā guòyú zìxìn le. - He is overly confident.) or '这个问题过于复杂。' (Zhège wèntí guòyú fùzá. - This problem is too complex.)

Yes, 过于 can be used with verbs, often indicating that an action is done excessively or inappropriately. For example, '你过于担心了。' (Nǐ guòyú dānxīn le. - You worry too much.) or '不要过于依赖别人。' (Bùyào guòyú yīlài biérén. - Don't rely too much on others.)

Most of the time, 过于 carries a negative or critical connotation, implying that something is beyond a reasonable or desirable limit. However, in some contexts, it can simply describe an extreme state without strong judgment, though this is less common than its negative usage. Think of it as 'excessively' or 'unduly' in English.

Generally, 过于 is not directly used with nouns. It modifies adjectives or verbs. If you want to express 'too much of something' (a noun), you would typically use other structures like '太多的' (tài duō de) or '过多的' (guò duō de). For example, '过多的信息' (guò duō de xìnxī - too much information).

过于 typically comes before the adjective or verb it modifies. Structure: Subject + 过于 + Adjective/Verb. For example, '她过于紧张。' (Tā guòyú jǐnzhāng. - She is overly nervous.)

Some common phrases include:

• 过于严格 (guòyú yánggé - too strict)
• 过于乐观 (guòyú lèguān - overly optimistic)
• 过于依赖 (guòyú yīlài - excessively reliant)
• 过于关注 (guòyú guānzhù - overly concerned/focused)
• 过于简单 (guòyú jiǎndān - too simple)

While you could technically say '这过于贵了' (Zhè guòyú guì le), it's more common and natural to use 太 (tài) for 'too expensive.' So, '这太贵了!' (Zhè tài guì le!) is the standard way to say it.

过于 tends to be a bit more formal than 太. You'll often hear it in written language, news reports, or more formal discussions. While it's used in spoken language, 太 is more prevalent in everyday casual conversations.

Yes, 过于 can be used in questions, usually to inquire if something is excessively so. For example, '你是不是过于敏感了？' (Nǐ shì bu shì guòyú mǐngǎn le? - Are you overly sensitive?)