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

"连... 都/也..." (lián... dōu/yě...) 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.

Basic Structure

连 + Noun + 也/都 + Adjective/Verb

Examples

• 我们 都 去 爬 山，连 爷爷 也 去。We all went climbing mountains. Even Grandpa went.
• 她 每天 都 在 学习 数学，连 星期日 都 在 学习。I study math every day. I even study on Sundays.
• 她 什么 水果 都喜欢 吃，连 榴莲 也 喜欢。She likes eating fruits . She even likes durian .
• 他 太 穷 了，连 吃饭 的 钱 都 没有。He's so poor. He doesn't even have enough money to eat.

Structure with "buru"

连 + Noun + 也/都不如

The important thing to remember is that the noun is being emphasized rather than the action.

Examples

• 你 真 是 老糊涂 了，连 小孩子 都不如。You are truly senile. Even the kids are smarter than you.
• 他 经常 打骂 他 的 父母， 真是 连 禽兽 都不如。He's always hassling his parents. Even animals are nicer than him.
• 你 不 是 电脑 高手 吗？怎么 连 我 也不如？You are a computer expert? How is it that I'm better than you?

See also

• "Even" as "shenzhi"
• Expressing "every" with "mei" and "dou"
• "Not at all"

Sources and further reading

Books

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