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

Level

B1 / HSK4
Level

B1
Level

HSK4
Similar to
Similar to
- Expressing "not even one" (HSK3)
- Expressing "even" with "shenzhi" (HSK4)
- Expressing "let alone" with "bie shuo" (HSK5)
- Expressing "let alone" with "geng buyong shuo" (HSK5)
Used for

Adding more explanation, Expressing attitude
Keywords

也, 都, 连

"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.

1 Basic Usage
- 1.1 Used before Subject
  - 1.1.1 Structure
  - 1.1.2 Examples
- 1.2 Used before Object
  - 1.2.1 Structure
  - 1.2.2 Examples
2 Advanced Usage
- 2.1 连 as "Not at All"
  - 2.1.1 Structure
  - 2.1.2 Examples
- 2.2 连 as "Not even One"
  - 2.2.1 Structure
  - 2.2.2 Examples
3 See also
4 Sources and further reading
- 4.1 Books

Basic Usage

Used before 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.
我们家人人都炒股，连我奶奶都炒。Wǒmen jiā rénrén dōu chǎogǔ, lián wǒ nǎinai dōu chǎo.Everyone in my family plays the stock market. Even my grandma does.
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 dōu bù rènshi.This Chinese character is so difficult that even my Chinese teacher doesn't know it.

Used before Object

Structure

连 + Obj. + 都 (+ 不 / 没) + Verb

Examples

你们连我都不相信？Nǐmen lián wǒ dōu bù xiāngxìn?How come you don't even believe in me?
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.
你连他的名字都没听说过？Nǐ lián tā de míngzi dōu méi tīngshuō guo?You haven't even heard about his name?

如果"连"后面的宾语是个句子，小句中要有疑问代词。

你们连他叫什么都不问？Nǐmen lián tā jiào shénme dōu bù wèn? How come you don't even believe in me?
他连他女朋友喜欢吃什么都不知道。 Tā lián tā nǚpéngyou xǐhuan chī shénme dōu bù zhīdào.How come you don't even believe in me?
她连我每天跟谁一起吃午饭都要问。Tā lián wǒ měi tiān gēn shéi yīqǐ chī wǔfàn dōu yào wèn.She even asks me about who I have lunch with everyday.

Advanced Usage

连 as "Not at All"

Structure

连 + Verb + 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb (，就 ⋯⋯)

Using this type of sentence structure emphasizes "not even at all..."

Examples

这个人我连见都没见过。Zhège rén wǒ lián jiàn dōu méi jiàn guo.I didn't meet this at all.
你怎么连想都不想？Nǐ zěnme lián xiǎng dōu bù xiǎng?How did you not think about it at all?
他连看都没看，就说我的衣服很难看。Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn, jiù shuō wǒ de yīfu hěn nánkàn.He didn't even look at them at all, he just said my clothes were ugly.
他连问都不问，就把我们的东西扔掉了。Tā lián wèn dōu bù wèn, jiù bǎ wǒmen de dōngxi rēngdiào le.He didn't even ask at all, he just threw away my stuff.
你们连尝都没尝，怎么知道不好吃？Nǐmen lián cháng dōu méi cháng, zěnme zhīdào bù hǎochī?You guys didn't even taste it at all, how do you know that it tastes bad?

连 as "Not even One"

"连"在这个句型中，是语气副词，加强语气。去掉不影响句子的完整性。详见Expressing "not even one"。

Structure

连 + 一 + Measure Word + (Noun) + 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb

Examples

两年前，他连一句中文都不会说。Liǎng nián qián, tā lián yī jù Zhōngwén dōu bù huì shuō.He couldn't even speak one sentence in Chinese two years ago.
他连一个朋友都没有？Tā lián yī gè péngyou dōu méiyǒu?He doesn't even have a friend?
我们连一次都没见过。Wǒmen lián yī cì dōu méi jiàn guo.We haven't even met once.

Sources and further reading

Books

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

Contents

Basic Usage

Used before Subject

Structure

Examples

Used before Object

Structure

Examples

Advanced Usage

连 as "Not at All"

Structure

Examples

连 as "Not even One"

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books