甚 (shén) — very, extremely; more (than)
Definition
甚 (shén) is a formal/literary intensifier meaning 'very, extremely' — mostly seen in writing and set phrases like 甚至, not in everyday speech.
adverb
veryextremelymore (than)
Examples
- 甚，。Cǐ shì shén nán, xū yào zǐ xì kǎo lǜ.This matter is very difficult; it requires careful consideration.
- 甚，。Tā de yì jiàn shén hǎo, dà jiā dōu tóng yì.His opinion is very good; everyone agrees.
- 甚。Tā shén xǐ huan gǔ diǎn yīn yuè.She very much likes classical music.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 甘甘gān
- 匕匕bǐ
甚 combines 甘 and 匕. The evidence gives no meaning for either part.
Appears in
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