Expressing "even" with "shenzhi"
Revision as of 03:12, 21 October 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)
甚至 (shènzhì) is similar that of "even" in English. It is generally used towards the end of the sentence, when the speaker realizes that they maybe haven't gone far enough, and want to take the idea one step further
甚至 is generally used at the beginning the last clause of a sentence. It emphasizes a progression from the first part of the sentence, and highlights the importance of the second clause, similar to 'even' in English.
For example:
- 中 国 的 网速 让 我 感到 沮丧 甚至 痛苦
- 这 个 古 字 甚至 字典 上 也 查 不 到
- 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
- 他 骑 自行车 骑 得 甚至 比 汽车 跑 得 还 快
不但 (bùdàn) and 甚至 can be used to form a structure similar to 不但...而且 (bùdàn...érqiě), meaning "not only...even". 甚至 is often followed by the 连...都 (lián...dōu) structure to add further emphasis.
