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 + Adj. / Verb

Examples

  • 我们 家 的 人 都 有 手机, 我 八岁 的 弟弟 有。All of my family have cellphones. Even my eight-year-old brother does.
  • 她 从早到晚 都 在 玩 手机, 上 厕所 的时候 在 玩。She plays with her phone all day and every day. Even when she is using the bathroom.
  • 她 什么 水果 都喜欢 吃, 榴莲 喜欢。She likes eating fruits. She even likes durian .
  • 他 太 穷 了, 吃饭 的 钱 没有。He's so poor. He doesn't even have enough money to eat.
  • 这个 汉字 太 难懂 了, 我 的 中文老师 不认识。This Chinese character is so difficult that even my Chinese teacher doesn't know it.
  • 他 最近 忙 死了,睡觉的时间没有。He's been super busy lately that he hasn't even got time to sleep.
  • 这个 问题 太 容易 了,小孩儿知道。This question is so easy that even kids would know.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books