越发

• Pinyin: yuè fā
• Hanzi breakdown: 越 = 走 + 戉 (to exceed/cross over); 发 = 癶 + 弓 (to develop/emit)

Meaning

Even more; increasingly. An adverb indicating that a quality or degree is intensifying further.

Equivalent to 越来越 but slightly more literary. Often paired with adjectives or verbs to show escalation. Common in written narratives and formal speech.

Examples

1. 随着时间的推移，他对这份工作越发感到热爱。 As time went on, he grew to love this job more and more.
2. 天气越发寒冷，街上的行人也越来越少了。 The weather grew colder and colder, and there were fewer and fewer people on the streets.
3. 她越发觉得自己当初的选择是正确的。 She became more and more convinced that her choice back then was the right one.

Usage Guide

Context: description, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 经过这次挫折，他越发坚定了继续前行的决心。(After this setback, he became even more resolute in his determination to move forward.)
• 竞争越发激烈，每个人都在努力提升自己的能力。(Competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and everyone is working hard to improve.)

Don't Say

• 越发一点 — 越发 does not collocate with 一点; use 更 or 稍微更 for slight increments

Origin & History

越 (exceed/surpass) + 发 (to emit/develop)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal