Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi"

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.

Using 简直 to modify nouns

When modifying nouns, it is necessary to add a measure word before the noun. This is the same as in English, where you might say, "he is simply an idiot"

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！

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.
• 你简直在骗我!
• 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