简直 · 反正
简直: simply, practically (exaggerates) · 反正: anyway, whatever happens
Structure
简直 + 形容词／动词 · 反正 + 句子
What it means
简直 exaggerates to show strong feeling: “simply, practically”. 反正 means “anyway, whatever the case”: it gives the fact that settles the matter.
How it is built
简直 + 太……了／是／像／跟……一样 or a negative: 这儿的东西简直太便宜了！ (Things here are ridiculously cheap!). 反正 + sentence, before or after the subject: 反正我不去 = 我反正不去.
When to use it
简直 is for strong reactions, mostly in speech. 反正 brushes other details aside because one fact decides it: 别着急，反正还有时间 (Don’t rush: there’s still time anyway).
Watch out
简直 doesn’t go before a plain 很: ✗ 简直很好 ✓ 简直太好了.
Examples
这儿的东西简直太便宜了！
Things here are ridiculously cheap!
他的汉语说得简直跟中国人一样。
His Chinese is practically the same as a native speaker’s.
别着急，反正还有时间。
Don’t rush: there’s still time anyway.
你去不去都行，反正我去。
Come or don’t, it’s up to you. I’m going anyway.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 21: 吵架 (An argument)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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