Definition

Adverb: - Exceptionally; extremely; to the highest degree: Used to emphasize that a quality or state exists to an extraordinary or utmost extent, surpassing the ordinary level.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Cô ấy là một người bạn rất mực trung thành. (She is an exceptionally loyal friend.)
  • Ông ấy đối xử với mọi người rất mực lịch sự. (He treats everyone extremely politely.)
  • Căn phòng được trang trí rất mực tinh tế. (The room was decorated with the utmost refinement.)

Advanced Usage

• "rất mực" + Adjective: This is the most common structure, where the adverb intensifies the adjective that follows.
  • Anh ấy rất mực cẩn thận trong công việc. (He is exceptionally careful in his work.)
• "rất mực" + Verb Phrase: It can also modify a verb phrase to indicate the high degree of an action or state.
  • Gia đình họ rất mực yêu thương nhau. (Their family loves each other deeply / to the highest degree.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vô cùng (adv): Extremely, immensely. A close synonym, though slightly more common in modern speech.
  • Cô ấy vô cùng xinh đẹp. (She is immensely beautiful.)
• Cực kỳ (adv): Extremely, exceedingly. Another common synonym with similar intensity.
  • Món ăn này cực kỳ ngon. (This dish is exceedingly delicious.)
• Hết mực (adv): With all one's heart, to the utmost. Often used for efforts or emotional states like care or respect.
  • Tôi hết mực kính trọng ông ấy. (I respect him with all my heart.)

Synonyms

• Đặc biệt (adv): Especially, particularly. (Can imply standing out from others, not just intensity).
• Vô cùng (adv): Immensely, extremely.
• Cực kỳ (adv): Exceedingly, extremely.

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• Formality and Tone: "Rất mực" carries a formal, literary, or refined tone. It is often found in written Vietnamese, literature, or formal speech to express high praise or description.
• Nuance: While "rất" means "very," "rất mực" implies a level that is not just "very high" but is at the pinnacle or represents the utmost standard ("mực" here relates to a standard or measure). It suggests a quality that is exemplary.
• Different Meanings: The word "mực" alone has other meanings (ink, squid, standard). In "rất mực," it is part of a fixed adverbial phrase and does not retain those individual meanings.

adv

1. exceptionally