Expressing "even" with "lian" and "dou"

连⋯⋯都⋯⋯ (lián... dōu...) is a pattern that can be used to emphasize certain unexpected or surprising events or information. It is used the same way even is in English.

Used before the Subject

Structure

连 + Subj. + 都 (+ 不 / 没) + Verb

Examples

• 这个 问题 太 简单 了 ，连 三岁 小孩 都 知道 。Zhège wèntí tài jiǎndān le, lián sān suì xiǎohái dōu zhīdào.This question is so easy that even a three-year-old kid knows the answer.
• 这个 汉字 太 难 了 ，连 我 的 中文 老师 都 不 认识 。Zhège Hànzì tài nán le, lián wǒ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī dōubù rènshi.This Chinese character is so difficult that even my Chinese teacher doesn't know it.
• 他 很可怜 ，连 他 妈妈 都 不 管 他 。Tā hěn kělián, lián tā māma dōu bù guǎn tā.He's such a poor child. Even his mother doesn't care about him.
• 她 什么 都 放 辣 ，连 汤 都 是 辣的 。Tā shénme dōu fàng là, lián tāng dōu shì là de.She put spice in everything. Even the soup is spicy.
• 你们 算 什么 好朋友 ？他 连 结婚 都 没 请 你 。Nǐmen suàn shénme hǎo péngyou, tā lián jiéhūn dōu méi qǐng nǐ.What kind of friend are you to him? He didn't even invite you to his wedding.

Note that 都 can't be omitted.

• 这个 问题 太 简单 了 ，连 三岁 小孩 知道 。Zhège wèntí tài jiǎndān le, lián sān suì xiǎohái zhīdào.
• 你们 算 什么 好朋友 ？他 连 结婚 没 请 你 。Nǐmen suàn shénme hǎo péngyou? Tā lián jiéhūn méi qǐng nǐ.

Used before the Object

Structure

连 + Obj. + 都 (+ 不 / 没) + Verb

Examples

• 他 什么 都 吃，连 狗肉 都 吃 。Tā shénme dōu chī, lián gǒu ròu dōu chī.He eats everything, even dog meat.
• 你 连 你 最好 的 朋友 都 不 相信 ？Nǐ lián nǐ zuìhǎo de péngyou dōu bù xiāngxìn?You don't even trust your best friend?
• 你 连 麦当劳 都 吃 不起 吗 ？Nǐ lián Màidāngláo dōu chī bu qǐ ma?You can't even afford a meal at McDonald's?

If the object behind 连 is a sentence, there must be a specific interrogative pronoun in the sentence.

• 你 连 她 叫 什么 都 没 问 ？Nǐ lián tā jiào shénme dōu méi wèn?You didn't even ask what her name is?
• 你 怎么了 ？连 你 住 在 哪儿 都 不 记得 了 ？Nǐ zěnme le? lián nǐ zhù zàinǎr dōu bù jìde le?Are you OK? You can't even remember where you live?
• 她 是 你 女朋友 ？你 连 人家 叫 什么 都 不 知道 。Tā shì nǐ nǚpéngyou? Nǐ lián rénjia jiào shénme dōu bù zhīdào.She's your girlfriend? You doesn't even know what her name is.

See also

• Expressing "even" with "shenzhi"
• Expressing "not even one"
• Advanced uses of "lian"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 152) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 356-7) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 136) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 204-5) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy