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.
• 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 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 的 朋友 都 不 相信 ？Nǐ lián nǐ zuìhǎo de péngyou dōu bù xiāngxìn?You don't even believe in your best friend?
• 他 现在 很 穷 ，连 麦当劳 都 吃 不起 。Tā xiànzài hěn qióng, lián Màidāngláo dōu chī bu qǐ.He's very poor now. He couldn't even afford a meal at McDonald.

如果"连"后面的宾语是个句子，小句中要有疑问代词。

• 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?
• 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.He doesn't even know what his girlfriend likes to eat?

See also

• Expressing "even" with "shenzhi"
• Expressing "not even one"

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