甚至 (even / to the point that)
"Even…" — pushing to the extreme
- even甚至 = "even / so much so that", spotlighting an extreme case.
- he / him他very很busy忙，even甚至not / haven't没(concept of) time时间to have a meal吃饭 = "he's so busy he doesn't even have time to eat."
- It raises the stakes with a striking example.
… ，even甚至 …
- even甚至 introduces the most extreme point in a list or claim.
he他very很busy忙，even甚至don't have没time时间eat吃饭。
- even甚至not / haven't没(concept of) time时间to have a meal吃饭 = "(he) doesn't even have time to eat."
Practice
So busy he doesn't even have time to eat: 他很忙，____ 没时间吃饭。
甚至 introduces the extreme case: 甚至没时间吃饭.
Practice
What does 甚至 highlight?
甚至 = even — it raises the stakes with a striking example.
Often with to link连…all / both都
- even甚至 pairs naturally with to link连…all / both都… for extra force.
Explore
Correct or broken?
甚至 spotlights the EXTREME case — even that! — right before it.
Practice
甚至 pairs naturally with 连…都… for extra force.
Yes — both push toward the extreme case.
Recap
Key idea
- even甚至 … — "even / to the point that …" (the extreme case)
- he / him他very很busy忙，even甚至not / haven't没(concept of) time时间to have a meal吃饭
- Raises the stakes with a striking example
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.