连…都/也…
HSK 4- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 连…都/也… is used to emphasize an unexpected case, meaning 'even... also/still...'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used to emphasize a subject or situation that you would not expect. 连 introduces that subject, while 都 or 也 (which can usually be used interchangeably) mean "also" or "even."
This structure implies that if even this extreme case applies, then other more ordinary cases go without saying. This is a very common expression in spoken Chinese.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他连自己的名字都不会写。繁: 他連自己的名字都不會寫。Tā lián zìjǐ de míngzi dōu bú huì xiě.
He cannot even write his own name.
- 这个问题连孩子也懂。繁: 這個問題連孩子也懂。Zhè ge wèntí lián háizi yě dǒng.
Even children understand this problem.
- 我忙得连饭都忘了吃。繁: 我忙得連飯都忘了吃。Wǒ máng de lián fàn dōu wàng le chī.
I was so busy that I even forgot to eat.
- 你怎么连这么简单的事都做不好？繁: 你怎麼連這麼簡單的事都做不好？Nǐ zěnme lián zhème jiǎndān de shì dōu zuò bu hǎo?
How can you even fail at something so simple?
- 他连看都没看我一眼。繁: 他連看都沒看我一眼。Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn wǒ yì yǎn.
He didn't even look at me once.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他不知道连这个问题。Correct:他连这个问题都不知道。
The emphasized object (这个问题) must be placed immediately after 连 and before the verb.
- Wrong:连他不知道。Correct:连他都不知道。
连 must be paired with 都 or 也. 连 cannot be used alone in this structure.