Definition

1. Adverbial phrase / Conjunction:
   • Even; to the extent of; including: Used to introduce an extreme or surprising example that is included in a general statement, emphasizing that the statement applies without exception. It highlights something or someone that might be considered least likely or most unexpected.

Usage Examples

• As an adverbial phrase:
  • Cả đến anh ấy cũng khóc. (Even he cried.)
  • Mọi người đều mệt, cả đến những người trẻ nhất. (Everyone was tired, even the youngest people.)
  • Cô ấy quên cả đến tên của mình. (She forgot even her own name.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to add emphasis by extending a statement to its logical limit, often reinforcing a preceding clause that uses "đều" (all) or "tất cả" (everyone/everything).
  • Tất cả đồ đạc đã bị phá hủy, cả đến những bức tường. (All the furniture was destroyed, even the walls.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngay cả: A more common synonym for "even," often used interchangeably.

  • Ngay cả cô giáo cũng không biết đáp án. (Even the teacher didn't know the answer.)

• Thậm chí: A synonym meaning "even," "moreover," or "to such an extent that," often used for stronger contrast or surprise.

  • Anh ấy thậm chí còn không thèm gọi điện. (He didn't even bother to call.)

Synonyms

• Even: Used to emphasize something unexpected or extreme.
• Including: To make something part of a whole.
• Voire (French loan sense): Or even; indeed.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Cả đến... cũng...: The standard correlative structure, where "cả đến" introduces the emphasized element and "cũng" follows it in the clause.
  • Cả đến một giọt nước cũng không còn. (Not even a drop of water remained.)

1. Even