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 , 三岁 小孩 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.
  • 这个 汉字 太 难 了 , 我 的 中文 老师 认识 。Zhège Hànzì tài nán le, lián wǒ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī dōu rènshi.This Chinese character is so difficult that even my Chinese teacher doesn't know it.
  • 他 很可怜 , 他 妈妈 管 他 。Tā hěn kělián, lián tā māma dōu guǎn tā.He's such a poor child. Even his mother doesn't care about him.
  • 她 什么 都 放 辣 , 是 辣的 。Tā shénme dōu fàng là, lián tāng dōu shì là de.She put spice in everything. Even the soup is spicy.
  • 你们 算 什么 好朋友 ?他 结婚 请 你 。Nǐmen suàn shénme hǎo péngyou, tā lián jiéhūn dōu méi qǐng nǐ.What kind of friend are you to him? He didn't even invite you to his wedding.

Note that 都 can't be omitted.

  • 这个 问题 太 简单 了 , 三岁 小孩 知道 。Zhège wèntí tài jiǎndān le, lián sān suì xiǎohái zhīdào.
  • 你们 算 什么 好朋友 ?他 结婚 请 你 。Nǐmen suàn shénme hǎo péngyou? Tā lián jiéhūn méi qǐng nǐ.

Used before the Object

Structure

连 + Obj. + 都 (+ 不 / 没) + Verb

Examples

  • 他 什么 都 吃, 狗肉 吃 。Tā shénme dōu chī, lián gǒu ròu dōu chī.He eats everything, even dog meat.
  • 你 最好 的 的 朋友 相信 ?lián nǐ zuìhǎo de péngyou dōu xiāngxìn?You don't even believe in your best friend?
  • 我们 现在 很 穷 , 麦当劳 吃 不起 。Wǒmen xiànzài hěn qióng, lián Màidāngláo dōu chī bu qǐ.We're very poor now. We can'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。

  • 她 叫 什么 问 ?lián tā jiào shénme dōu méi wèn?You didn't even ask what her name is?
  • 你 怎么了 ? 你 住 在 哪儿 记得 了 ?Nǐ zěnme le? lián nǐ zhù zàinǎr dōu jìde le?Are you OK? You can't even remember where you live?
  • 她 是 你 女朋友 ?你 人家 叫 什么 知道 。Tā shì nǐ nǚpéngyou? Nǐ lián rénjia jiào shénme dōu zhīdào.She's your girlfriend? You doesn't even know what her name is.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books