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

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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.
  
==甚至 used for direct emphasis ==
+
== 甚至 used to connect words or phrases ==
  
=== Structure ===
+
==== Structure ====
  
Here 甚至 is used in a more direct manner.
+
Note the word or phrase following 甚至 often uses 也 or 都 to add further emphasis.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
甚至 + Sentence
+
A,B,甚至 C + 都 / 也 ……
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*他 骑 自行车 速度 <em>甚至</em> 比 汽车 还 快。<span class="trans">He rides his bike even faster than cars.</span>
+
*每 个 观众 <em>甚至</em> 裁判 都 站 起来 给 鼓掌。<span class="trans">Each and every audience, even the judge, stood up and applauded for him.</span>
 +
*我 去 过 很 多 中国 城市,北京、上海、杭州、昆明、桂林,<em>甚至</em> 拉萨 我 也 去 过。<span class="trans">I've been to many cities in China, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guilin. I even went to Lasa for once.</span>
 +
*他 很 喜欢 玩 手机,吃饭 的时候,坐 地铁 的时候,<em>甚至</em> 上 厕所 的时候 也 在 玩。<span class="trans">He likes playing with his cellphone when he's eating, taking the metro, even when he goes to the bathroom.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== 甚至 used to connect sentences ==
 +
 
 +
==== Structure ====
 +
 
 +
Note the word or phrase following 甚至 often uses 也 or 都 to add further emphasis.
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 
 +
……,甚至 ……
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
==== Examples ====
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
*他 太 忙 了,<em>甚至</em> 连 吃 中饭 的 时间 都 没有。<span class="trans">This question is simple, even kids know the answer.</span>
 +
*他 从来 不 聊 工作 的 事,<em>甚至</em> 跟 他 老婆 也 不 说。<span class="trans">He rides his bike even faster than cars.</span>
 +
*这 个 问题 很 简单,<em>甚至</em> 连 小 孩子 都 知道。<span class="trans">This question is simple, even kids know the answer.</span>
 
*我 男朋友 很 喜欢 游泳,<em>甚至</em> 连 冬天 也 游。<span class="trans">My boyfriend likes swimming a lot. He goes swimming even when it's winter.</span>
 
*我 男朋友 很 喜欢 游泳,<em>甚至</em> 连 冬天 也 游。<span class="trans">My boyfriend likes swimming a lot. He goes swimming even when it's winter.</span>
*他 一直 在 玩 手机,<em>甚至</em> 上 厕所 的 时候 也 在 玩。<span class="trans">He's been playing with his cellphone all the time, even when he went to the bathroom.</span>
+
*几 年 不 见,他 变 胖 了 很 多,<em>甚至</em> 连 我 这 个 老 朋友 都 认 不 出来 了。<span class="trans">I haven't seen him for a few years and he's gotten much fatter. I, as an old friend, couldn't even recognize him.</span>
*这 个 问题 很 简单,<em>甚至</em> 连 小 孩子 都 知道。<span class="trans">This question is simple, even kids know the answer.</span>
+
 
*这 首 中文 歌 很 有名,<em>甚至</em> Obama 都 会 唱。<span class="trans">This piece of Chinese song is very famous. Even Obama can sing it.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Note the phrase following 甚至 often uses 比、连、也 to add further emphasis.
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 03:50, 21 October 2016

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 used to connect words or phrases

Structure

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

A,B,甚至 C + 都 / 也 ……

Examples

  • 每 个 观众 甚至 裁判 都 站 起来 给 他 鼓掌。Each and every audience, even the judge, stood up and applauded for him.
  • 我 去 过 很 多 中国 的 城市,北京、上海、杭州、昆明、桂林,甚至 拉萨 我 也 去 过。I've been to many cities in China, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guilin. I even went to Lasa for once.
  • 他 很 喜欢 玩 手机,吃饭 的时候,坐 地铁 的时候,甚至 上 厕所 的时候 也 在 玩。He likes playing with his cellphone when he's eating, taking the metro, even when he goes to the bathroom.

甚至 used to connect sentences

Structure

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

……,甚至 ……

Examples

  • 他 太 忙 了,甚至 连 吃 中饭 的 时间 都 没有。This question is simple, even kids know the answer.
  • 他 从来 不 聊 工作 的 事,甚至 跟 他 老婆 也 不 说。He rides his bike even faster than cars.
  • 这 个 问题 很 简单,甚至 连 小 孩子 都 知道。This question is simple, even kids know the answer.
  • 我 男朋友 很 喜欢 游泳,甚至 连 冬天 也 游。My boyfriend likes swimming a lot. He goes swimming even when it's winter.
  • 几 年 不 见,他 变 胖 了 很 多,甚至 连 我 这 个 老 朋友 都 认 不 出来 了。I haven't seen him for a few years and he's gotten much fatter. I, as an old friend, couldn't even recognize him.


See also

Sources and further reading

Books