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何况

HSK 5
  • Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Clause 1何况Clause 2 (呢)?

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

何况 is used for emphasis, introducing a stronger or more obvious reason; similar to "let alone" or "not to mention" in English.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

何况 (hé kuàng) means "let alone," "not to mention," or "much less." This structure introduces a stronger or more obvious example/reason to reinforce the point made in the preceding clause. The logic is: if A (at a lesser degree) is already the case, then B (at a greater degree) is all the more so. It is commonly used in exclamatory sentences or rhetorical questions, and frequently appears with 呢 at the end of the sentence.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 这个字连老师都写错了，何况学生呢？
    繁: 這個字連老師都寫錯了，何況學生呢？Zhège zì lián lǎoshī dōu xiě cuò le, hékuàng xuéshēng ne?

    Even the teacher writes this character incorrectly, let alone the students.

  2. 他连饭都没时间吃，何况去旅游呢？
    繁: 他連飯都沒時間吃，何況去旅遊呢？Tā lián fàn dōu méi shíjiān chī, hékuàng qù lǚyóu ne?

    He doesn't even have time to eat, let alone go traveling.

  3. 这么重的箱子我搬不动，何况你呢？
    繁: 這麼重的箱子我搬不動，何況你呢？Zhème zhòng de xiāngzi wǒ bān bú dòng, hékuàng nǐ ne?

    I can't even move a suitcase this heavy, let alone you.

  4. 自行车我都买不起，何况汽车呢？
    繁: 自行車我都買不起，何況汽車呢？Zìxíngchē wǒ dōu mǎi bù qǐ, hékuàng qìchē ne?

    I can't even afford a bicycle, let alone a car.

  5. 他连普通话都说不好，何况英语？
    繁: 他連普通話都說不好，何況英語？Tā lián pǔtōnghuà dōu shuō bù hǎo, hékuàng Yīngyǔ?

    He can't even speak Mandarin Chinese well, let alone English?

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:何况他是一个孩子。
    Correct:大人都做不好，何况他是一个孩子呢？

    何况 must follow a comparative clause as its basis and cannot stand alone to begin a new idea.

  • Wrong:我不喜欢他，何况他很懒。
    Correct:他成绩不好，何况人又很懒，谁会喜欢他？

    The first clause should establish a premise. The second clause uses 何况 to present a stronger, more obvious reason.

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