Expressing "even" with "shenzhi"

Revision as of 10:00, 19 October 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)

甚至 (shènzhì) is similar that of "even" in English. It can be used as an adverb and a conjunction


It is generally used at the end of the sentence to emphasize the


It has the feeling that by the end of the sentence the speaker realizes that they want to take the idea one step further, or hasn't

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.


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.

For example:

  • 我感到遗憾甚至痛苦
  • 甚至 我 都 会!

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