Difference between revisions of "Expressing "even" with "shenzhi""

Line 2: Line 2:
 
甚至 (shènzhì) is similar to "even" in English and is used for emphasis. Like "even" it can be used quite directly or in a more subtle manner. When used more subtly it acts to supplement the speaker’s initial thought, creating the impression that the speaker has realized half way through his statement that he hasn’t gone far enough, and wants to take the idea one step further.
 
甚至 (shènzhì) is similar to "even" in English and is used for emphasis. Like "even" it can be used quite directly or in a more subtle manner. When used more subtly it acts to supplement the speaker’s initial thought, creating the impression that the speaker has realized half way through his statement that he hasn’t gone far enough, and wants to take the idea one step further.
  
==Structure - direct emphasis ==
+
==Structure 1 ==
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Line 9: Line 9:
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Here 甚至 is used in a more direct manner.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">

Revision as of 06:16, 17 October 2012

甚至 (shènzhì) is similar to "even" in English and is used for emphasis. Like "even" it can be used quite directly or in a more subtle manner. When used more subtly it acts to supplement the speaker’s initial thought, creating the impression that the speaker has realized half way through his statement that he hasn’t gone far enough, and wants to take the idea one step further.

Structure 1

甚至 + focus of emphasis

Here 甚至 is used in a more direct manner.

  • 他 骑 自行车 的 速度 甚至 比 汽车 还 快。
  • 他 是 个 探险家,他 甚至 去 过 北极。
  • 在 中国,不但 教育 水平 高 的 人 会 背诵 唐诗, 甚至 连 小 孩子 都 会。

Note the phrase following 甚至 often uses 连, 都 or 也 to add further emphasis.

Structure - subtle emphasis

甚至 + supplementary thought

  • 前 女友 的 照片 让 他 感到 遗憾, 甚至 痛苦。
  • 我 觉得 两天 内 完成 这个 任务 很 难,甚至 是 不 可能 的。

See also

Sources and further reading

Books