The Conjunction “甚至”

In Chinese, “甚至” (shènzhì) stresses that something goes further than usual, stands out more, or exceeds what was expected.

How it is translated

most often: even even … at that

Core meaning

A，甚至 + B

Here B is stronger or more unexpected than A.

Meaning

A, and even B

在中国网购，不仅选择多，价格不高，而且送货很快，很多留学生甚至改变了自己的购物习惯

很多留学生 + 甚至 + 改变了自己的购物习惯 many international students + even + changed their shopping habits

网购 — online shopping 选择多 — wide choice 价格不高 — prices are not high 送货很快 — delivery is very fast 留学生 — international student 甚至 — even 改变 — change 购物习惯 — shopping habits

Here “甚至” shows the result went further than expected.

高铁速度真快，甚至还没看清楚，它就已经开过去了

甚至 + 还没看清楚 even + before you have got a clear look

高铁 — high-speed train 速度 — speed 真快 — really fast 甚至 — even 还没看清楚 — have not yet seen it clearly 已经开过去了 — has already gone past

Here “甚至” underlines the train’s speed with an even stronger example.

这个小区真不错，有小花园、球场，甚至还有一个超市

有小花园、球场，甚至还有一个超市 there is a garden and a sports ground, and even a supermarket

这个小区 — this residential complex 真不错 — really good 小花园 — a small garden 球场 — a sports ground 甚至 — even 还有一个超市 — there is a supermarket too

Here the supermarket is presented as an even more striking addition to what came before.

Rule in brief

……，甚至……

“even” — it marks something stronger or more unexpected than what came before.

甚至改变了自己的购物习惯

甚至还没看清楚

甚至还有一个超市