Definition

1. Adverbial phrase / Exclamatory phrase:
   • How...! / How very...! / So...!: Used as an intensifier in exclamatory sentences to express a strong degree of emotion, wonder, or emphasis about a quality or state. It translates to "how" in English exclamations.
   • To what extent / How much: Emphasizes the great or immeasurable degree of something, often with a sense of admiration, joy, or sometimes regret.

Usage Examples

• Exclamatory:
  • Phong cảnh đẹp biết mấy! (The scenery is so beautiful! / How beautiful the scenery is!)
  • Anh hạnh phúc biết mấy! (You are so happy! / How happy you are!)
  • Nó ngây thơ biết mấy! (He is so naive! / How naive he is!)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used in literary, poetic, or emotionally charged contexts to add depth and feeling. It is less common in casual, everyday speech.
• It typically follows an adjective (đẹp, hạnh phúc, ngây thơ) or a stative verb to amplify its meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Biết chừng nào: An equivalent phrase with the same meaning and usage (how...! / to what extent!).
  • Tôi nhớ anh biết chừng nào! (I miss you so much!)

Synonyms

• How...!: Used in exclamations (e.g., How wonderful!).
• So...!: Used for emphasis (e.g., So moving!).
• Extremely: To a very great degree.
• Immensely: To a great extent.

Related Idioms

• While not a standalone idiom, "biết mấy" functions as a key component in constructing exclamatory idioms of admiration or emphasis, such as "" (How precious it is!).

1. như biết chừng nào