Difference between revisions of "Expressing "even" with "shenzhi""
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
| − | 甚至 (shènzhì) is similar to "even" in English | + | 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 - emphasis == | + | ==Structure - direct emphasis == |
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
Note the phrase following 甚至 often uses 连, 都 or 也 to add further emphasis. | Note the phrase following 甚至 often uses 连, 都 or 也 to add further emphasis. | ||
| − | ==Structure - | + | ==Structure - subtle emphasis == |
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | 甚至 + | + | 甚至 + supplementary thought |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
* 前 女友 的 照片 让 他 感到 遗憾 <em>甚至</em> 痛苦。 | * 前 女友 的 照片 让 他 感到 遗憾 <em>甚至</em> 痛苦。 | ||
| − | |||
* 我 觉得 两天 内 完成 这个 任务 很 难，<em>甚至</em> 是 不 可能 的。 | * 我 觉得 两天 内 完成 这个 任务 很 难，<em>甚至</em> 是 不 可能 的。 | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 03:47, 18 September 2012
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
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.
Contents
Structure - direct emphasis
甚至 + focus of emphasis
- 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
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 228) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5) (pp. 72)→buy
- Short-term Spoken Chinese: Pre-Intermediate (汉语口语速成提高篇) pp 133 NEEDS AFFILIATE LINK
