Definition
乃至 (nǎi zhì) is a formal, literary conjunction meaning 'and even, to the extent that.' It is more common in written Chinese than 甚至 (shèn zhì), which works in both speech and writing. Unlike 以致 (yǐ zhì), which typically introduces a negative result, and 以至于 (yǐ zhì yú), which emphasizes the outcome, 乃至 simply extends a series to a higher or surprising extreme.
conjunction
and evento the extent thator even
Examples
- ，乃至。Zhè cì gǎigé yǐngxiǎng le qǐyè, nǎi zhì zhěnggè hángyè.This reform affected companies, and even the entire industry.
- ，乃至。Tā bùjǐn guānxīn gèrén déshī, nǎi zhì yuànyì xīshēng zìjǐ.He cares not only about personal gains and losses, but is even willing to sacrifice himself.
- 乃至，。Cóng gǔ nǎi zhì jīn, rénmen duì zhìhuì de zhuīqiú cóng wèi tíngzhǐ.From ancient times to even the present, people's pursuit of wisdom has never stopped.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.