Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi"

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简直(jiǎn zhí) is similar to "simply" or "completely" in English, and can be used to modify adjectives or verbs, adding a tone of amazement on the part of the speaker. \r\n==Using 简直 to modify verbs==\r\n===Basic structure===\r\n

\r\nSubject + 简直 + Verb\r\n

\r\n===Examples===\r\n

  • 简直 不 是 人。You simply aren't a person.
  • 你 的 房间 简直 像 一 个 战场,快点 收拾 收拾!Your room looks like a complete war zone. Hurry up and clean it!
  • 简直 不敢 相信!I simply can't bring myself to believe it.
  • 简直 不 知道 该 怎么 说服 你。I just don't know how I should persuade you.\r\n

\r\n简直 is often used with "就是在 + verb" or "是在 + verb" structure. In English we might say: "He's simply lying to you".\r\n

  • 三星 的 智能 手机 简直 就是 在 模仿 iPhone。The Samsung smartphones are just a copy of the iPhone.
  • 简直 是 在 骗 你。He's just lying to you.\r\n
  • \r\n===Complex structure===\r\n

    \r\nS + (Object) + Verb + 得 + 简直 + Adjective\r\n

    \r\n===Examples===\r\n

  • 他 普通话 说 得 简直 比 中国人 还 标准!He simply speaks Mandarin more correctly than Chinese people!
  • 中国 的 高速 铁路 修建 得 简直 太 快 了!China's elevated railroad was simply built really fast!\r\n
  • \r\n==Using 简直 to modify adjectives==\r\n===Structure===\r\n

    \r\nS + 简直 + Adjective\r\n

    \r\n===Examples===\r\n

  • 你 的 男 朋友 简直(是)太 帅 了!Your boyfriend is just so handsome!
  • 他 的 考试 成绩 简直 好极 了!His test grades are simply fantastic!\r\n
  • \r\nHowever, although it is possible in English to say something is "simply beautiful", in Chinese, 简直 cannot be followed directly by an unmodified adjective. Modifiers like , and 极了 can be used, as in the following examples:\r\n

    • 简直 漂亮!
    • 很 漂亮!
    • 简直 太 漂亮 了!
    • 简直 漂亮 极 了!

    \r\n==See also==\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* Boya Chinese Upper Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语中级冲刺篇) (pp. 115) →buy

    HSK5