甚至 (even / to the point that)
IntroducedChoose the striking extra case
- Someone is so busy that even meals are difficult to fit in.
- he他very很busy忙，even甚至don't have没time时间eat吃饭。 — even甚至 makes the lack of mealtime a striking additional point.
Someone is so busy that even meals are difficult to fit in. What does 他很忙，甚至没时间吃饭。 communicate?
甚至 makes the lack of mealtime a striking additional point. The scale comes from the context. A striking example is not necessarily the mathematically greatest possible case.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is even甚至 (even / to the point that). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他very很busy忙，even甚至don't have没time时间eat吃饭。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: 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.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, he他very很busy忙，even甚至don't have没time时间eat吃饭。: even甚至 makes the lack of mealtime a striking additional point.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 甚至 highlight?
甚至 = even — it raises the stakes with a striking example.
Know the boundary
- The scale comes from the context.
- A striking example is not necessarily the mathematically greatest possible case.
甚至 pairs naturally with 连…都… for extra force.
Yes — both push toward the extreme case.
甚至 means the added point must be the greatest measurable quantity.
The scale comes from the context. A striking example is not necessarily the mathematically greatest possible case. 甚至 makes the lack of mealtime a striking additional point.
Use the distinction
- even甚至 makes the lack of mealtime a striking additional point.
- The scale comes from the context. A striking example is not necessarily the mathematically greatest possible case.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.
Someone is so busy that even meals are difficult to fit in. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.