甚至...都...
Reach for this when you want to push an example to the extreme — 'even X also...' The 甚至 introduces the unlikely or surprising case, and 都 confirms that the rule still applies. Use it to dramatize scope ('even the boss noticed'), to argue intensity ('even a child can do it'), or to deliver a punchline ('he even forgot his own birthday'). The pattern is essential for editorial and persuasive writing.
Structure
甚至 [EXTREME CASE] 都 [PREDICATE]
shènzhì... dōu...
How to Think About It
甚至 is the spotlight — it shines on the most unlikely member of a category. 都 is the equalizer — it says 'even this one isn't an exception.' Together they tell the listener 'I'm naming the most extreme case, and the rule still holds, so imagine the rest.' Drop 都 and the sentence loses its closing snap; the listener expects the pattern to land.
Examples
他甚至连自己的名字都忘了。
Tā shènzhì lián zìjǐ de míngzì dōu wàng le.
He even forgot his own name.
甚至小孩子都看得懂这部电影。
Shènzhì xiǎo háizi dōu kàn de dǒng zhè bù diànyǐng.
Even small children can understand this movie.
她忙得甚至饭都没吃。
Tā máng de shènzhì fàn dōu méi chī.
She was so busy she didn't even eat.
Common Mistake
Learners include 也 instead of 都 ('甚至他也来了'), which is acceptable but weaker. 都 is the stronger, more idiomatic partner for 甚至 — it covers the full set and emphasizes 'no exceptions.'
甚至他也忘了自己的生日。
甚至他都忘了自己的生日。
Don't Confuse With
连...都...
Very close in meaning — 'even X also...' 连 is more casual and often used in spoken language; 甚至 is more formal and frequently appears in writing. Both work, but 连 tends to express more emotional shock.
包括...也...
'Including X, also...' — neutral inclusion, no surprise. Use 包括 when you're just listing; use 甚至...都... when you want the extreme-case dramatic flair.
不仅...而且...
'Not only X, but also Y' — adds a second item rather than spotlighting an extreme case. Use 不仅 to expand a list; use 甚至 to escalate it.
Practice
他 ___ 早饭都没吃。
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甚至
甚至老板 ___ 来了。
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都
Put in order: [都 / 甚至 / 名字 / 他 / 忘了 / 我的]
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他甚至我的名字都忘了。
Translate to Chinese: 'He was so tired he didn't even want to talk.'
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他累得甚至话都不想说。
Write one sentence using 甚至...都... to dramatize an extreme case.
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Example answer: 这部电影太感人, 甚至我爸爸都哭了。 (This movie is so moving — even my dad cried.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: