Expressing "let alone" with "hekuang"
何况 (hékuàng) can mean "let alone" or "all the more." It can be used in the following structure:
Contents
何况 within a rhetorical question
Structure
Subj. + 连 + A + 都 + (不 / 没) + Verb， 何况 + B + 呢？
呢 often appears at the end of this structure, to form a rhetorical question.
何况 can be used in two ways, the first of which where 何况 is used to emphasize that A is easier than B.
Examples
- 这 句 话 连 孩子 都 懂 ，何况 大人 呢？Children can understand what this sentence means, let alone the adults.
- 他 连 那么 难 的 题 都 会，何况 一个 这么 简单 的 题 呢？ He couldn't answer a question that hard, let alone answer one that easy.
In the above sentences, as A is so easy, then B must be even easier. However if one adds a 不 or 没 before the verb then the meaning is reversed: now A is so hard, B would almost be impossible.
- 我 奶奶 连 高铁 都 没 坐 过 ，何况 飞机 呢 ？My grandmother hasn't even taken the high-speed train, let alone the airplane.
- 宝宝 连 走 都 不 会，更 何况 跑 呢？The baby can't even walk, let alone run.
- 我 连 他 叫 什么 都 不 知道 ，又 何况 他 的 电话 号码 呢？I don't even know what his name is, let alone his phone number.
何况 doesn't necessarily have to be used with the 连⋯⋯ 都⋯⋯ structure, and can be used as a simple statement instead of a rhetorical question.
何况 in a statement
Structure
Subj. (+ 尚且) + 都 / 就 ⋯⋯ ，何况 ⋯⋯
Examples
- 他 在家 就 不 爱 说话 ，何况 是 在 外面 。He don't talk much at home, let alone on public occasion.
- 这个 东西 两 个 男人 都 搬 不 动 ，何况 一 个 女人 。Two men can't move this this, let alone a single woman.
- 这个 地方 本来 就 不 好 找 ，更何况 你 是 第一 次 来 。This place has always been hard to find, especially on your first time.
- 大人 尚且 做 不 到 ，更何况 孩子 。Adults can't even do this, let alone children.
- 中国 人 尚且 不 了解 ，更何况 外国 人 。Chinese people don't even know much about it, let alone foreigners.
何况 is often used with 尚且, a formal way of saying 还. 更 can be added to 何况 to add further emphasis.
