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.

连 Followed By Noun

Basic Structure

连 + Noun + 也/都 + Adj. / Verb

Examples

  • 这个 汉字 太 难 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.
  • 这个 问题 太 容易 了,小孩儿知道。This question is so easy that even kids would know.
  • 我们 家 人人 都 炒股, 我 奶奶 炒。Everyone in my family plays the stock market, even my grandma does.
  • 他 最近 忙 死了,吃饭 的 时间没有。He's been super busy lately that he doesn't even have time to eat.
  • 你 要 跟 他 结婚?可是 你们 没 见 过! Do you want to marry him? But you guys haven't even met each other!
  • 你 怎么 这么 穷? 一 顿 饭 请 不起。How could you be so poor? You can't even buy one meal for someone.
  • 你们 怎么 这么 简单 的 事情 做 不 好?太 让 我 失望 了! How can you guys mess up even the simplest thing? It makes me so disappointed.
  • 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.
  • 我们 家 是 老婆 管钱。我 吃饭 的 钱 要 找 她 要。 Our family's money is managed by the wife. I have to find her even for food money.
  • 东 西 南 北 分 不 清,怎么 做 我们 的 导游? You can't even distinguish north, south, east and west. How can you be our tour guide?

连 Followed By Verb

The verb used in this structure is mostly one syllable verb.

Advanced Structure

连 + Verb + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb(,就……)

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

Examples

  • 没 见 过。
  • 你 怎么 不 想?
  • 没 看,就 说 我 的 衣服 很 难看。
  • 不 问,就 把 我们 的 东西 扔 掉 了 。
  • 你们 没 尝,怎么 知道 不 好吃?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books