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March 24, 2026
甚至shènzhì(shen4zhi4)
甚至 (shènzhì) is used to indicate that something is extreme or surprising, often translating to 'even' or 'so much so that' in English. It emphasizes a situation or outcome that goes beyond what is expected or typical, highlighting the extent of something in various contexts, such as in comparisons or examples.
Strokes15Frequency#470DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing extremes can reflect a sense of humility or modesty when talking about one's own achievements, often downplaying them by presenting them with '甚至.' This aligns with the value placed on collective achievement over individual boasting.
Memory Tip
Think of 甚至 as 'shocking,' where '甚至' sounds like 'send' (to send someone into shock). Imagine sending a 'zhi' (纸, paper) to a friend who can't believe you did something so extreme, like jumping from a plane, emphasizing the idea of 'even' doing something that unexpected.
Meanings of 甚至
shènzhì(shen4zhi4)
1even
2so much so that
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About 甚至
甚至Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#470Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 甚至
Podcast: 甚至
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AI Study Notes for 甚至
Quick Contrast
甚至 (shènzhì) vs 乃至 (nǎizhì): use 甚至 for emphasizing surprising extremes in a broader context, while 乃至 is more formal and often used to indicate a more direct or specific consequence.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 甚至 with other similar conjunctions like 也 (yě), which means 'also,' as 甚至 implies a greater degree of surprise. It is more commonly used in informal speech but can also appear in written contexts. A common collocation is '甚至可以' (even can), used to emphasize possibilities.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 甚至 is useful for forming complex sentences and comparisons. Students should focus on how it enhances meaning in sentences, particularly in contrasting statements or expressing extreme examples. Practice using it in various contexts to solidify understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 甚至 by placing it incorrectly in a sentence, such as saying '我甚至去商店' instead of '我去商店，甚至买了很多东西' (I went to the store and even bought a lot of things). Ensure it emphasizes the extreme element of the statement.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 甚至
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甚至 (shènzhì) is used to indicate that something is extreme or surprising, often translating to 'even' or 'so much so that' in English. It emphasizes a situation or outcome that goes beyond what is expected or typical, highlighting the extent of something in various contexts, such as in comparisons or examples.
When to use 甚至
Be cautious not to confuse 甚至 with other similar conjunctions like 也 (yě), which means 'also,' as 甚至 implies a greater degree of surprise. It is more commonly used in informal speech but can also appear in written contexts. A common collocation is '甚至可以' (even can), used to emphasize possibilities.
甚至 or something close to it
甚至 (shènzhì) vs 乃至 (nǎizhì): use 甚至 for emphasizing surprising extremes in a broader context, while 乃至 is more formal and often used to indicate a more direct or specific consequence.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 甚至 by placing it incorrectly in a sentence, such as saying '我甚至去商店' instead of '我去商店，甚至买了很多东西' (I went to the store and even bought a lot of things). Ensure it emphasizes the extreme element of the statement.
Write 甚至
甚
至
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Grammar Patterns of 甚至
甚至 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
