HSK 7
甚至于: Even to the Extent That in Chinese
甚至于 introduces a case, degree, or consequence that is more extreme than the information before it. It functions like an expanded, relatively formal version of 甚至 and helps a writer make the scale of escalation explicit. The material after it must genuinely strengthen or extend the preceding point.
STRUCTURE
Statement, 甚至于 + Extreme case
When to use 甚至于… — and when not
Use it when
- Escalate to an extreme case: 她很忙，甚至于一顿饭也没时间吃。
- Introduce a far-reaching consequence in formal explanation.
- Add evidence that is stronger than the earlier statement.
Don't use it when
- Do not use it for a second point that is weaker or unrelated.
- Do not place 甚至于 after the extreme phrase it introduces.
- Do not leave it without the escalated case or consequence.
Right vs. wrong
她一顿饭也甚至于没时间吃。
她甚至于一顿饭也没时间吃。
The escalator follows the extreme phrase
甚至于 must introduce the entire extreme case 一顿饭也没时间吃.
问题越来越严重，甚至于。
问题越来越严重，甚至于影响了正常生活。
No extreme point follows the connector
甚至于 needs the stronger consequence that extends the first statement.
Examples
她很忙，甚至于一顿饭也没时间吃。
Tā hěn máng, shènzhìyú yí dùn fàn yě méi shíjiān chī.
She was so busy that she did not even have time for a meal.
问题越来越严重，甚至于影响了正常生活。
Wèntí yuèláiyuè yánzhòng, shènzhìyú yǐngxiǎng le zhèngcháng shēnghuó.
The problem became increasingly serious, even affecting normal life.
他不能接受这个想法，甚至于一秒钟也不能忍受。
Tā bù néng jiēshòu zhège xiǎngfǎ, shènzhìyú yì miǎozhōng yě bù néng rěnshòu.
He could not accept the idea, not even for a second.
Common mistakes
她一顿饭也甚至于没时间吃。
Tā yí dùn fàn yě shènzhìyú méi shíjiān chī.
Place 甚至于 before the complete extreme case.
问题越来越严重，甚至于。
Wèntí yuèláiyuè yánzhòng, shènzhìyú.
Complete the escalated consequence after 甚至于.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 甚至于… sentence and check that grammar point first.
甚至于: Even to the Extent That FAQ
How is 甚至于 different from 甚至?
Their core escalation meaning is similar. 甚至于 is longer and often feels more formal or explicit in written discourse.
Can 甚至于 introduce a whole clause?
Yes. It may introduce a noun phrase, an extreme example, or a full consequence clause.
Related Chinese grammar points
连…也/都…
连...也/都... (lián...yě/dōu)
Continue learning
Turn an extreme included case into an explicit escalation.
连…更不用说…
连...更不用说... (lián)
Compare
Compare direct escalation with an a-fortiori comparison between cases.
况且
况且: Moreover / Besides
Compare
Distinguish a more extreme consequence from an additional supporting reason.