足以
be enough to; be sufficient to
Structure
主语 足以 动词短语 ／ 主语 不足以 动词短语
What it means
“Be enough to, sufficient to”: a fact or amount is enough to bring about a result. The negative 不足以 says it falls short.
How it is built
Subject + 足以 + verb phrase: 这些证据足以证明他是无辜的 (this evidence is enough to prove he is innocent). Negative: 不足以说明问题 (proves nothing).
When to use it
Formal; in speech use 够 or 足够. Typical: 足以说明, 足以证明, 足以让人…; 光靠一份工资，不足以在大城市买房.
Watch out
No noun straight after it: ✗ 足以钱 ✓ 有足够的钱. Not an adjective: ✗ 时间足以 ✓ 时间足够 or 时间够用.
Examples
这个数字足以说明，依靠算法上的创新，同样可以以小博大。
This figure is enough to show that new ideas in algorithms can also let the small take on the big.
这些证据足以证明他是无辜的。
This evidence is enough to prove he is innocent.
光靠一份工资，不足以在大城市买房子。
One salary alone is not enough to buy a flat in a big city.
Learn this in Lesson 72 · HSK 6: DeepSeek与大模型 (DeepSeek and the AI race)
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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