以至于 (yǐ zhì yú)

conjunction HSK 5

Traditional 以至於

yǐ zhì yú

so that · to the extent that · with the result that

Meaning

This conjunction connects two clauses to show a cause-and-result relationship, where the first situation leads to an extreme or significant consequence. It emphasizes that something happened to such a degree that it caused a particular outcome, often unexpected or notable.

Usage

Used in formal and written Chinese more than casual speech. The structure is typically: [cause/situation] + 以至于 + [result/consequence]. The result clause often describes something negative, excessive, or remarkable. Can be shortened to 以至 in formal writing.

Examples

01
他工作太忙了，以至于连吃饭的时间都没有。
Tā gōng zuò tài máng le, yǐ zhì yú lián chī fàn de shí jiān dōu méi yǒu.
He was so busy with work that he didn't even have time to eat.
02
这本书写得非常详细，以至于初学者可能觉得太复杂。
Zhè běn shū xiě de fēi cháng xiáng xì, yǐ zhì yú chū xué zhě kě néng jué de tài fù zá.
This book is written in such detail that beginners might find it too complicated.

Characters

Common collocations

...以至于不得不...
... yǐ zhì yú bù dé bù ...
to the extent that one has no choice but to...
...以至于无法...
... yǐ zhì yú wú fǎ ...
so much that one cannot...
甚至以至于
shèn zhì yǐ zhì yú
even to the point that

Origin

Composed of classical Chinese elements: 以 (by means of) + 至 (reach/arrive) + 于 (at). Literally means 'by means of reaching to the point of,' expressing progression to an extreme degree.