Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi"
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\n===Examples===\r\n
- 你 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!
- 我 简直 不敢 相信！I simply can't bring myself to believe it.
- 我 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
\r\n===Complex structure===\r\n
\r\n===Examples===\r\n
\r\n==Using 简直 to modify adjectives==\r\n===Structure===\r\n
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\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 太, 很 and 极了 can be used, as in the following examples:\r\n
- 她 简直 漂亮！
- 她 很 漂亮！
- 她 简直 太 漂亮 了！
- 她 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
