Definition
何止 (hé zhǐ) is a verb meaning 'far more than' or 'not only' — it emphasizes that the actual number or scope goes well beyond what's stated, often with a rhetorical or exaggerated tone. Unlike 不但/不仅/不光/非但 (conjunctions for 'not only… but also…' patterns), 何止 stands alone before the element it exceeds. It is similar to the verb sense of 不止 (bù zhǐ), but 何止 sounds more emphatic and conversational.
verb
far more thannot justnot only (rhetorical or negative context)
Examples
- 何止？Tā zhuàn de qián hé zhǐ yìbǎi wàn?The money he earns is far more than a million.
- 何止。Xǐhuān zhè bù diànyǐng de rén hé zhǐ wǒmen jǐ gè.There are far more people who like this movie than just a few of us.
- 何止。Tā zuò de zhǔnbèi gōngzuò hé zhǐ zhèxiē.The preparation work she did goes far beyond this.
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