简直: הערכה חזקה והשוואה

A beautiful view looks like a painting

• A visitor says here这里zhè lǐ(modifier / structural particle)的descenery风景fēng jǐngsimply简直jiǎn zhíto resemble像xiàngto draw画huàsame一样yī yàng。 The comparison expresses a strong impression of the view.
• It does not mean the landscape is literally made of paint. Translate the evaluation in context rather than automatically using literally.

Place simply简直jiǎn zhí before the strong description

• this这zhèsimply简直jiǎn zhítoo太tàigreat棒bàng(completed / change)了le！ expresses strong approval. I / me我wǒsimply简直jiǎn zhí不敢相信bù gǎn xiāng xìnoneself自己zì jǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deeye眼睛yǎn jīng expresses strong disbelief.
• simply简直jiǎn zhí supports the speaker’s emphatic evaluation. It is not a measurement unit or an independent check of the claim.

this这zhèsimply简直jiǎn zhítoo太tàigreat棒bàng了le！

Distinguish comparison from identity

• here这里zhè lǐsimply简直jiǎn zhíto resemble像xiàng一幅yī fúto draw画huà uses to resemble像xiàng to compare the view to a painting. this这zhèto be / is是shì一幅yī fúto draw画huà identifies an object as a painting.
• The similar English image does not make the two statements equivalent. Read the comparison word as well as simply简直jiǎn zhí.

Look for the speaker’s stance

• this这zhèsimply简直jiǎn zhívery good太好了tài hǎo le expresses approval; this这zhèsimply简直jiǎn zhítoo太tàidregs糟zāo(completed / change)了le expresses disapproval. The following description supplies the direction of the evaluation.
• Do not infer whether an event is good or bad from simply简直jiǎn zhí alone. Voice and irony can also affect the intended stance.

Keep evaluation separate from evidence

• this这zhègap间jiānhouse屋子wū zisimply简直jiǎn zhíto resemble像xiàngrefrigerator冰箱bīng xiāngsame一样yī yàng presents an impression of cold. room temperature室温shì wēnto be / is是shìten十shí°C (degrees Celsius)摄氏度shè shì dù reports a measured temperature.
• A comparison can communicate discomfort without stating an exact temperature. A strong description does not prove a literal fact.

Translate the whole claim

• For a view compared to a painting, “The scenery looks just like a painting” keeps the comparison. “The scenery is literally a painting” changes it.
• In a new example, identify the description and the speaker’s stance, then distinguish figurative emphasis from any measured or literal claim.

Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Adverbs.