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

• 我们家 人 都 会 上网，连 爷爷 也 会。All of my family know how to surf online. Even Grandpa can.
• 她 从早到晚 都 在 玩 手机，连 上 厕所 的时候 都 在 玩。She plays with her phone all day and everyday. Even when she is using the bathroom.
• 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.
• 这个 汉字 太 难懂 了，连 我 的 中文老师都 不认识。This Chinese character is too difficult that even my Chinese teacher doesn't know.
• 他 最近 忙 死了，连睡觉的时间都没有。He's been super busy lately that he hasn't even got time to sleep.
• 这个 问题 太 容易 了，连小孩儿都知道。This question is so easy that even kids would know.

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 都 上大学了，还 不会 洗衣服，连 你妹妹 都不如。You are in college while you can't wash your own clothes. Even your sister is better 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.
• 我 帮过 他 那么 多，他 还 这样 说 我，真是连一条狗都不如。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