以至于
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to connect a result (usually to a high degree or undesirable) with the cause that brought it about.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The conjunction 以至于 indicates a result (usually negative or unexpected) caused by the reason stated in the preceding clause. It emphasizes that the degree of the cause was so high "that" or "to the extent that" it led to that result.
Compared to 所以 (so/therefore), 以至于 carries a stronger tone, expressing surprise or the severity of the result. The preceding clause often contains degree adverbs such as 太, 这么, or 那么.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他学习太晚了，以至于第二天迟到了。繁: 他學習太晚了，以至於第二天遲到了。Tā xuéxí tài wǎn le, yǐzhìyú dì'èr tiān chídào le.
He studied so late that he was late to school the next day.
- 我最近太忙了，以至于忘了你的生日。繁: 我最近太忙了，以至於忘了你的生日。Wǒ zuìjìn tài máng le, yǐzhìyú wàng le nǐ de shēngrì.
I've been so busy lately that I forgot your birthday.
- 他讲的笑话太好笑了，以至于我笑出了眼泪。繁: 他講的笑話太好笑了，以至於我笑出了眼淚。Tā jiǎng de xiàohuà tài hǎoxiào le, yǐzhìyú wǒ xiào chū le yǎnlèi.
The jokes he told were so funny that I laughed until tears came out of my eyes.
- 他开车太快，以至于发生了事故。繁: 他開車太快，以至於發生了事故。Tā kāichē tài kuài, yǐzhìyú fāshēng le shìgù.
He drove so fast that he caused an accident.
- 他太紧张了，以至于一句话也说不出来。繁: 他太緊張了，以至於一句話也說不出來。Tā tài jǐnzhāng le, yǐzhìyú yí jù huà yě shuō bu chūlái.
He was so nervous that he couldn't utter a single word.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:外面下雨了，以至于我带了伞。Correct:外面下雨了，所以我带了伞。
以至于 is used for results at a high degree or unexpected outcomes; for ordinary, logical results, use 所以.
- Wrong:我喜欢唱歌，以至于我弟弟，他喜欢跳舞。Correct:我喜欢唱歌，至于我弟弟，他喜欢跳舞。
以至于 indicates a cause-result relationship only. To shift topics, use 至于 (as for).