简直jiǎnzhí

Modal Adverb 简直 (jiǎnzhí): Simply / Virtually / Almost like...

Meaning: Simply, virtually, practically (exaggeration)

Pattern

简直 is an emphatic modal adverb meaning "simply / practically / virtually".
It stands before an adjective, verb phrase, or simile to exaggerate how extreme a state or situation is.
Because 简直 expresses an extreme degree on its own, the predicate after it must also indicate an extreme degree or comparison—for example: 简直太棒了, 简直高兴极了, 简直像中国人一样, or 简直让人受不了 (never a bare positive adjective like *简直好).
Distinguish 简直 (subjective, emotional exaggeration) from 几乎 ("almost / nearly", which describes an objective quantity or near-completion).
Also note that 简直 is an adverb and cannot directly modify a noun (*简直一个老师 is wrong)

1
他的中文说得太好了，简直像中国人一样！
Tā de Zhōngwén shuō de tài hǎo le, jiǎnzhí xiàng Zhōngguórén yīyàng!
He speaks Chinese so well—it's simply just like a native Chinese person!
2
今天的天气简直冷得让人受不了。
Jīntiān de tiānqì jiǎnzhí lěng de ràng rén shòubuliǎo.
Today's weather is simply so cold that people can't stand it.
3
听到这个好消息，我简直高兴极了。
Tīngdào zhège hǎo xiāoxi, wǒ jiǎnzhí gāoxìng jí le.
Hearing this good news, I was simply overjoyed.

•简直 expresses subjective exaggeration (often with 像…一样, 太…了, 极了) and cannot directly modify a noun.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Placing 简直 directly before a noun without a verb (*简直一个老师 instead of 简直像一个老师).

•Confusing subjective exaggeration 简直 ("simply") with objective approximation 几乎 ("almost / nearly").

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 5 to master all skills together.