Difference between revisions of "Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi""
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简直(jiǎn zhí) is similar to simply or completely in English, and adds a tone of amazement on the part of the speaker. It can be used to modify adjectives, verbs and nouns. However, it can be a little tricky to use, as it is used differently with different words. | 简直(jiǎn zhí) is similar to simply or completely in English, and adds a tone of amazement on the part of the speaker. It can be used to modify adjectives, verbs and nouns. However, it can be a little tricky to use, as it is used differently with different words. | ||
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| + | ===Using 简直 to modify nouns=== | ||
When modifying nouns, it is necessary to add a measure word before the noun. | When modifying nouns, it is necessary to add a measure word before the noun. | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
* 我 崩溃, 他 <em>简直</em> 是 个 白痴！ | * 我 崩溃, 他 <em>简直</em> 是 个 白痴！ | ||
| − | * 他 | + | * 你 的 房间 简直 像 一 个 战场，快点 收拾 收拾! |
| + | * 他 的 孩子 <em>简直</em> 是 个 神童! | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | ===Using 简直 to modify adjectives=== | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | Note that although | + | Note that although it is possible in English to say something is "simply beautiful", in Chinese, 简直 cannot be followed directly by an unmodified adjective. |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li class="x">她 简直 漂亮</li> | + | <li class="x">她 <em>简直</em> 漂亮</li> |
| − | <li class="o">她 | + | <li class="o">她 <em>简直</em>很漂亮</li> |
| − | <li class="o">她 简直 太 漂亮 了</li> | + | <li class="o">她 <em>简直</em> 太 漂亮 了</li> |
| − | <li class="o">她 简直 漂亮 极 了</li> | + | <li class="o">她 <em>简直</em> 漂亮 极 了</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | When modifying verbs, 简直 is used with 在, to form the present continuous tense. An example of this in English would be: "He's simply lying to you". | + | ===Using 简直 to modify verbs=== |
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| + | When modifying verbs, 简直 is often used with 在, to form the present continuous tense. An example of this in English would be: "He's simply lying to you". | ||
Here are some Chinese examples: | Here are some Chinese examples: | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
* 三星 的 智能 手机 <em>简直</em> 在 模仿 iphone. | * 三星 的 智能 手机 <em>简直</em> 在 模仿 iphone. | ||
| − | * | + | * 我 <em>简直</em> 不敢 相信！ |
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 04:28, 8 November 2011
简直(jiǎn zhí) is similar to simply or completely in English, and adds a tone of amazement on the part of the speaker. It can be used to modify adjectives, verbs and nouns. However, it can be a little tricky to use, as it is used differently with different words.
Contents
Using 简直 to modify nouns
When modifying nouns, it is necessary to add a measure word before the noun.
For example:
- 我 崩溃, 他 简直 是 个 白痴！
- 你 的 房间 简直 像 一 个 战场，快点 收拾 收拾!
- 他 的 孩子 简直 是 个 神童!
Using 简直 to modify adjectives
- 你 的 男 朋友 简直（是）太 帅 了，小心 别 的 女生 跟 你 抢！
- 中国 的 高速 铁路 修建 得 简直 太 快 了，难怪 有 安全 问题！
Note that although it is possible in English to say something is "simply beautiful", in Chinese, 简直 cannot be followed directly by an unmodified adjective.
- 她 简直 漂亮
- 她 简直很漂亮
- 她 简直 太 漂亮 了
- 她 简直 漂亮 极 了
Using 简直 to modify verbs
When modifying verbs, 简直 is often used with 在, to form the present continuous tense. An example of this in English would be: "He's simply lying to you".
Here are some Chinese examples:
- 三星 的 智能 手机 简直 在 模仿 iphone.
- 我 简直 不敢 相信！
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) pp.134-136
- Boya Chinese Upper Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语中级冲刺篇) pp.115
