甚至

shènzhì

Meaning

甚至 is an adverb meaning “even”. It marks the most surprising or extreme item, usually the last in a series.

Basic structure

A, B, 甚至 C → A, B, and even C

甚至 can come before a noun, a verb, or a whole clause.

Examples

这(Zhè)个(ge)房(fáng)子(zi)离(lí)您(nín)公(gōng)司(sī)也(yě)不(bù)远(yuǎn)，您(nín)可(kě)以(yǐ)坐(zuò)公(gōng)共(gòng)汽(qì)车(chē)甚(shèn)至(zhì)可(kě)以(yǐ)骑(qí)自(zì)行(xíng)车(chē)上(shàng)班(bān)。

This place isn't far from your company — you could take the bus, or even cycle to work.

很(Hěn)多(duō)时(shí)候(hou)，我(wǒ)们(men)不(bù)得(dé)不(bù)去(qù)做(zuò)一(yī)些(xiē)自(zì)己(jǐ)不(bù)愿(yuàn)意(yì)做(zuò)甚(shèn)至(zhì)是(shì)非(fēi)常(cháng)不(bù)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)的(de)工(gōng)作(zuò)。

Often we have to do work we don't want to do, or even strongly dislike.

迟(Chí)到(dào)会(huì)让(ràng)别(bié)人(rén)觉(jué)得(de)你(nǐ)没(méi)有(yǒu)责(zé)任(rèn)心(xīn)，使(shǐ)你(nǐ)错(cuò)过(guò)重(zhòng)要(yào)的(de)机(jī)会(huì)，甚(shèn)至(zhì)会(huì)让(ràng)别(bié)人(rén)不(bù)再(zài)相(xiāng)信(xìn)你(nǐ)。

Being late makes people think you're irresponsible, causes you to miss important opportunities, and can even make people stop trusting you.

Where it goes

甚(Shèn)至(zhì)孩(hái)子(zi)都(dōu)知(zhī)道(dào)。

Even children know it.

他(Tā)甚(shèn)至(zhì)忘(wàng)了(le)自(zì)己(jǐ)的(de)生(shēng)日(rì)。

He even forgot his own birthday.

他(Tā)没(méi)来(lái)，甚(shèn)至(zhì)连(lián)电(diàn)话(huà)都(dōu)没(méi)打(dǎ)。

He didn't come; he didn't even call.

甚至 vs. 连……都……

他(Tā)会(huì)英(Yīng)语(yǔ)、法(Fǎ)语(yǔ)，甚(shèn)至(zhì)汉(Hàn)语(yǔ)。

He speaks English, French, and even Chinese.

他(Tā)连(lián)自(zì)己(jǐ)的(de)名(míng)字(zi)都(dōu)不(bù)会(huì)写(xiě)。

He can't even write his own name.

甚至 → highlights the most extreme item in a list. 连……都…… → places even stronger emphasis on the unexpected.