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.
Contents
- 1 Used as "simply"
- 1.1 Basic structure
- 1.2 Examples
- 2 Used as "basically"
- 2.1 Structure
- 2.2 Examples
- 3 See also
- 4 Sources and further reading
Used as "simply"
Basic structure
Subj. + 简直 + Predicate
Examples
- 他 简直 是 个 魔鬼 ！
He is simply a monster!
- 他 唱歌 简直 难听 死了 ！
His singing is simply awful!
- 你 男 朋友 简直 太 帅 了 ！
Your boyfriend is simply so handsome!
- 我 简直 不 明白 他 为什么 这么 傻 ！
I just don't understand why he's so stupid.
- 我 简直 不 知道 怎么 教 这样 的 学生 ！
I just don't know how I should teach such kind 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 ！
- 她 简直 漂亮 极 了 !
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.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Boya Chinese Upper Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语中级冲刺篇) (pp. 115) →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) [ →buy]
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 225) →buy