Is 很 (hěn) a verb?

Short answer: No — 很 (hěn) is normally not a verb. It most often functions as a degree adverb that appears before adjectives (and sometimes before verbs) to indicate degree or to act as a neutral linker in predicative sentences.

1. Typical function: degree adverb before adjectives

Structure: Subject + 很 + Adjective.

• 他很高 (Tā hěn gāo) — He is tall.
• 我很累 (Wǒ hěn lèi) — I am tired.
• 这本书很有意思 (Zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi) — This book is interesting.

In these sentences 很 modifies the adjective and functions like an adverb (often translated as 'very'). However, in many neutral statements it does not convey strong emphasis — it simply links subject + adjective to form a predicate (so 他很高 often means simply 'He is tall', not necessarily 'He is very tall').

2. 很 is not a copular verb like 是 (shì)

Use 是 when the predicate is a noun or noun phrase: 他是学生 (Tā shì xuéshēng) — He is a student. You cannot say *他很学生. 很 is used mainly with adjectives (predicates) or to modify verbs/adjectives.

3. 很 can modify verbs too (as an adverb)

• 我很想去 (Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù) — I really want to go.
• 她很喜欢那部电影 (Tā hěn xǐhuan nà bù diànyǐng) — She really likes that movie.

Here 很 intensifies the verb or verb phrase. It still behaves as an adverb, not a verb.

4. Negation and degree

• To negate an adjective predicate: Subject + 不 + Adjective — 他不高 (Tā bù gāo) — He is not tall.
• To express lesser degree: 不太 (bù tài) or 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) — 他不太高 / 他一点儿也不高.
• To express stronger degree than 很, use 非常, 特别, 太 etc. — 他非常高 (Tā fēicháng gāo) — He is very tall.

5. When 很 is optional

In casual speech, you may sometimes omit 很 and say subject + adjective, especially for strong, emphatic statements: 他高 (Tā gāo) can sound abrupt or colloquial. In standard predicate sentences for learners, using 很 is the common, safe option.

6. Other uses and notes

• 很 + noun phrase as in 很多人 (hěn duō rén) — many people. Here 很 helps form a quantitative expression.
• Pronunciation: 很 is pronounced hěn (third tone). In fast/colloquial speech it may be reduced and sound lighter.
• Historically and in some set phrases there may be other roles, but for most learners treat 很 as an adverb (degree word/linker), not a verb.

Summary

很 is typically a degree adverb used before adjectives (and sometimes verbs) to form predicates or to intensify. It is not the copular verb 是, and it does not behave like a lexical verb that takes objects. For saying 'X is Y (adjective)' use 很 + adjective or use the adjective alone in specific contexts; for 'X is [noun]' use 是.

Quick examples:

• 她很聪明 (Tā hěn cōngming) — She is smart.
• 他是老师 (Tā shì lǎoshī) — He is a teacher.
• 我很想睡觉 (Wǒ hěn xiǎng shuìjiào) — I really want to sleep.