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, 爷爷 会。All of my family know how to surf online. Even Grandpa can.
  • 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.

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, 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 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,真是一条狗都不如You are a computer expert? How is it that I'm better than you?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books