以至
yǐ zhì HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他工作太忙,以至忘了吃饭。
Tā gōngzuò tài máng, yǐzhì wàng le chīfàn.
He was so busy with work that he forgot to eat.
问题复杂以至需要专家来解决。
Wèntí fùzá yǐzhì xūyào zhuānjiā lái jiějué.
The problem is so complex that it requires experts to solve.
雨下得很大,以至道路被淹了。
Yǔ xià de hěn dà, yǐzhì dàolù bèi yān le.
It rained so heavily that the roads were flooded.
他学习以至忘记吃饭。
Tā xuéxí yǐzhì wàngjì chīfàn.
He studies to the point of forgetting to eat.
雨下得大以至路滑。
Yǔ xià de dà yǐzhì lù huá.
It rains so heavily that the road is slippery.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 以至 as '以 (using) + 至 (to reach)'—imagine using something to reach an extreme point. Associate it with phrases like 'so much so that' in English to remember its function of connecting a cause to an intense result.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and commonly used in written Chinese, such as in essays, reports, or formal speeches, but it can also appear in spoken language for emphasis. It is typically used to describe situations where something leads to a significant or surprising result, often in analytical, descriptive, or narrative contexts.

📖 Grammar Points

以至 is often used in the pattern: [Cause/Situation] + 以至 + [Extreme Result]. It can be followed by clauses or phrases, and in modern usage, it is frequently combined as 以至于 (yǐzhìyú) for added emphasis, as in the example sentence. It functions to link two parts of a sentence logically.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, 以至 reflects a tendency to express causality and degree formally, often used in contexts emphasizing logical reasoning or consequences, such as in academic or professional settings. It underscores the importance of cause-and-effect relationships in narrative and argumentation.

🔄 Similar Words

以至 is similar to 以致 (yǐzhì), but 以致 usually implies a negative or undesirable result, while 以至 can be neutral or emphasize degree without a negative connotation. It also differs from 甚至 (shènzhì), which means 'even' and emphasizes an extreme example rather than a causal progression.

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