Expressing "let alone" with "bie shuo"

别说 (bié shuō) means something like "leaving aside" or "don't think about," and is used in the following way:

Structure

别说 + A , 连 / 就是+ B + 也 / 都 + Verb

This is similar to English where we might say: "don't think about preparing a banquet, you can't even make instant noodles." Note that this sentence structure is the reverse to the 更不用说 pattern.

Examples

  • 别说 做 菜 了,他 就 连 怎么 煮 方便面 不 知道。Don't even think about cooking. He doesn't even know how to boil instant noodles.
  • 别说 一百, 就是 一 块 钱 我 不 给 你 。Don't think about one hundred, I won't even give you one kuai.
  • 别说 白酒,就是 啤酒 的 味道 我 受 不了。Don't even mention baijiu, I can't even stand the taste of beer.
  • 别说 你,就是 不会。Don't even think about it, I can't even do it.

且不说 is more formal than 别说, but is used in the same way.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5