Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi"

简直 (jiǎnzhí) 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.

Used as "simply"

Basic structure

Subj. + 简直 + Predicate

Examples

• 他 简直 是 个 魔鬼 ！Tā jiǎnzhí shìgè móguǐ!He is simply a monster!
• 他 唱歌 简直 难听 死了 ！Tā chànggē jiǎnzhí nántīng sǐle!His singing is simply awful!
• 你 男 朋友 简直 太 帅 了 ！Nǐ nán péngyou jiǎnzhí tài shuàile!Your boyfriend is simply so handsome!
• 我 简直 不 明白 他 为什么 这么 傻 ！Wǒ jiǎnzhí bù míngbái tā wèishéme zhème shǎ!I just don't understand why he's so stupid.
• 我 简直 不 知道 怎么 教 这样 的 学生 ！Wǒ jiǎnzhí bù zhīdào zěnme jiào zhèyàng de xuéshēng!I just don't know how I should teach such kinds of students.

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. Check out the following examples:

• 她 简直 漂亮 ！
• 她 简直 很 漂亮 ！

• 她 简直 太 漂亮 了 ！Tā jiǎnzhí tài piàoliangle!She is simply too beautiful!
• 她 简直 漂亮 极 了 !Tā jiǎnzhí piàoliang jíle!She is just so beautiful!

Used as "basically"

Structure

Subj. + 简直 + 是(在) + Predicate

Examples

• 他 简直 是 骗 人 。He's just lying to you.
• 他们 简直 就是 在 抄 我们 的 创意 。They are basically stealing our creativity.

Sources and further reading

Books

• Boya Chinese Upper Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语中级冲刺篇) (pp. 115) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 134-6) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 225) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 67) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

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