Difference between revisions of "Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi""

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==Using 简直 to modify verbs==
 
==Using 简直 to modify verbs==
  
For example
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==Structure==
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<div class="jiegou">
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Subject + 简直 + verb
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</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* 他 普通话 说 得 <em>简直</em> 比 中国人 还 标准!
 
* 他 普通话 说 得 <em>简直</em> 比 中国人 还 标准!
 
</div>
 
</div>
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 +
N.B if the verb takes an object (see example number 5) 简直 come after the verb
  
 
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".
 
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".
  
Here are some examples:
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 三星 的 智能 手机 <em>简直</em> 就是 在 模仿 iphone。
 
* 三星 的 智能 手机 <em>简直</em> 就是 在 模仿 iphone。
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==Using 简直 to modify adjectives==
 
==Using 简直 to modify adjectives==
  
Adjectives can be modified using 简直 in much the same way as they would be in English.
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==Structure==
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 
 +
Subject + 简直 + verb
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
  
 
For example:
 
For example:

Revision as of 07:56, 18 September 2012

Chinese-grammar-wiki-简直.jpg

简直(jiǎn zhí) is similar to "simply" or "completely" in English, and adds a tone of amazement on the part of the speaker.

Using 简直 to modify verbs

Structure

Subject + 简直 + verb

  • 简直 不 是 人。
  • 你 的 房间 简直 像 一 个 战场,快点 收拾 收拾!
  • 简直 不敢 相信!
  • 简直 不 知道 该 怎么 说服 你。
  • 他 普通话 说 得 简直 比 中国人 还 标准!

N.B if the verb takes an object (see example number 5) 简直 come after the verb

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".

  • 三星 的 智能 手机 简直 就是 在 模仿 iphone。
  • 简直 是 在 骗 你。

Using 简直 to modify adjectives

Structure

Subject + 简直 + verb


For example:

  • 你 的 男 朋友 简直(是)太 帅 了!
  • 中国 的 高速 铁路 修建 得 简直 太 快 了!
  • 他 的 考试 成绩 简直 好极 了!

However, 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 太, 很 and 极了 can be used, as in the following examples:

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

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5