Emphasis: Not Even/Even (连...都)
连...都 to highlight an extreme example that makes your point surprisingly clear and dramatic.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 连...都/也 to emphasize an extreme case, meaning 'even [X] is/does [Y]'.
- Place the extreme element between 连 and 都/也.
- The verb following 都/也 must be negated or indicate a surprising result.
- Use 也 instead of 都 when the emphasis is on a negative or hypothetical situation.
Overview
The 连...都 (lián... dōu) or 连...也 (lián... yě) construction is a powerful tool in Mandarin for creating emphasis.
Its core function is to highlight an unexpected or extreme example to make a broader point. By presenting the most unlikely or surprising element of a situation and stating that the predicate applies even to it, you implicitly argue that the predicate must apply to all less extreme cases as well. This is a linguistic concept known as a scalar implicature.
You establish a scale of likelihood, point to the very end of it, and make a claim. If even that extreme point holds true, everything else on the scale is covered by default.
Imagine a scale of difficulty for a test, from easiest question to hardest. If you say, "Even the easiest question was hard," you're implying the entire test was difficult. Conversely, if you say, "Even the top student failed," you are forcefully implying that everyone else likely failed, too.
This is precisely the logic 连...都 employs. It singles out a surprising subject or object (连) and then confirms its inclusion in the main statement (都/也). The result is a sentence with a strong emotional and rhetorical impact, expressing surprise, frustration, shock, or a high degree of certainty.
It elevates a simple statement into a more dramatic and persuasive assertion.
This pattern is fundamental to achieving fluency in expressive, spoken Chinese. While more formal structures exist, 连...都 is the idiomatic choice for daily conversations, storytelling, and conveying personal feelings. Mastering it allows you to move beyond flat descriptions and into nuanced, emotionally resonant communication.
How This Grammar Works
连 (lián) and the scalar particle 都 (dōu) or 也 (yě). Understanding their individual roles is key to using the structure correctly.- 1
连 (lián): The Spotlight. The character连literally means "to connect" or "including." In this pattern, it acts as a spotlight, drawing the listener's attention to the word or phrase that immediately follows it. This focused element is the extreme or unexpected case—the core of your emphasis.连effectively says, "Pay attention, the thing I'm about to mention is surprising in this context." It prepares the listener for the rhetorical point you are about to make.
- 1
都 (dōu)/也 (yě): The Confirmation. These particles complete the structure by linking the focused element back to the main verb or predicate. They confirm that the action or state applies even to the surprising element introduced by连. While often interchangeable, there's a subtle distinction:
都 (dōu): Often carries a sense of totality or inclusivity. When you use都, the implication is that if the predicate applies to this extreme case, it applies to all other relevant cases. For example,他忙得连水都没喝(He was so busy he didn't even drink water) implies he certainly didn't have time for less essential things like coffee or a snack.都is generally more common in everyday spoken Mandarin.也 (yě): Carries a sense of addition.也means "also" or "too," so its use here frames the extreme case as another item on a list, albeit a surprising one.连这个问题他也能回答(He can even answer this question, too) feels like you're adding his ability to answer this hard question to a list of other, easier questions he can answer. The choice is often a matter of stylistic preference, but都provides a slightly stronger sense of exhaustive emphasis.
Formation Pattern
连...都/也 construction is flexible and can be used to emphasize the subject, object, or even adverbs. The key rule is that the emphasized element must be placed directly after 连, and 都/也 must come directly before the verb phrase (including any adverbs of time or negation within it).
连 shifts depending on what is being emphasized.
连 (lián) + Subject + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Predicate (Verb Phrase) |
连小孩子都懂这个道理。 (Even a small child understands this principle.) |
连专家都没办法解决这个问题。 (Even the experts don't have a way to solve this problem.) |
连 phrase before the subject or after it. Placing it before the subject adds slightly more emphasis.
连 phrase before the subject
连 (lián) + Object + Subject + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Predicate |
连这么难的汉字他都认识。 (He recognizes even such a difficult Chinese character.) |
连一杯水他都不想喝。 (He doesn't want to drink even a single cup of water.) |
连 phrase after the subject
连 (lián) + Object + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Predicate |
我累得连手指也不想动。 (I'm so tired I don't even want to move my fingers.) |
他穷得连饭都吃不起。 (He is so poor that he can't even afford to eat.) |
他太内向了，连跟自己的家人都很少说话。 (He's so introverted, he even rarely speaks with his own family.)
这个项目我花了很多时间，连一分钟的休息时间都没有。 (I spent a lot of time on this project; I didn't even have one minute of rest.)
When To Use It
- To Express Surprise or Disbelief
你连他的名字都忘了？你们不是最好的朋友吗？
这个地方太偏僻了，连手机信号都没有。
- To Complain or Highlight Hardship
我今天忙得连上厕所的时间都没有。
这篇文章太专业了，我连标题都看不懂。
- To Emphasize Inclusivity or a High Degree
她的厨艺非常好，连最挑食的客人都喜欢吃她做的菜。
这家公司的福利很好，连实习生也有住房补贴。
- In Contrast with
甚至 (shènzhì)
甚至 also means "even" but is generally more formal and suited for written language or formal speeches. 连...都 is the undisputed king of spoken, conversational emphasis. While 甚至 can often replace 连, it can sound stiff or overly literary in a casual chat.- Spoken/Casual:
他病了，连床都下不了。 (He's sick; he can't even get out of bed.) - Written/Formal:
环境污染日趋严重，甚至影响到了人类的生存。 (Environmental pollution is becoming increasingly severe, even affecting human survival.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Forgetting
都 (dōu)or也 (yě)
连 (lián) creates a grammatical expectation that must be resolved by 都 or 也. Leaving it out makes the sentence incomplete and ungrammatical.- Incorrect:
他连水不喝。 - Correct:
他连水{都}不喝。 (He doesn't even drink water.)
- 1Incorrect Word Order: Placing the Verb Before
都/也
都/也 must always precede the verb phrase (including negation). The structure is fixed.- Incorrect:
连我忘了都。 - Correct:
连我{都}忘了。 (Even I forgot.)
- 1Using the Pattern for Non-Surprising Information
连...都 is to create emphasis by highlighting an extreme or unexpected case. Using it for a mundane, expected fact sounds illogical and confusing.- Incorrect (and illogical):
我是学生，我连作业都要做。 (I'm a student; I even have to do homework.) This is expected, not surprising. - Correct (logical use):
他是老板，但是他连公司的打印机都会自己修。 (He's the boss, but he even knows how to fix the company printer himself.)
- 1Dropping
连 (lián)Inappropriately
连, but they always keep 都/也. The sentence 他水都喝 (tā shuǐ dōu hē) still carries the emphatic meaning. However, this is an advanced, colloquial reduction. As a learner, you should always include 连 to ensure your meaning is clear and your grammar is sound. Omitting it without a native-level command of cadence and context can lead to ambiguity.Real Conversations
Here is how 连...都/也 appears in modern, everyday communication.
Scenario 1
- 小王 (Xiǎo Wáng): 考得怎么样？ (How did the test go?)
- 小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ): 别提了，这次的数学考试难得离谱，我连最后一道大题都没看懂。
(Don't ask. This math test was ridiculously hard. I didn't even understand the last major question.)
Scenario 2
- Post: 这家新开的咖啡店太棒了！环境好，音乐也好听，连送的免费小饼干都特别好吃！
(This new cafe is amazing! The atmosphere is great, the music is pleasant, and even the free little cookie they give you is exceptionally tasty!)
Scenario 3
- A: 你最近看起来好累啊，脸色不太好。
(You look so tired recently, you don't look well.)
- B: 是啊，为了赶这个项目，我已经一个星期没好好睡觉了，忙得连跟朋友吃饭的时间也没有。
(Yeah, to meet the deadline for this project, I haven't slept well for a week. I've been so busy that I don't even have time to eat with friends.)
Scenario 4
- 我儿子现在沉迷手机，连叫他吃饭他都听不见。
(My son is addicted to his phone now. He doesn't even hear me when I call him for dinner.)
Quick FAQ
都 and 也 together, like 连...也都?No, this is redundant and grammatically incorrect. You must choose one. 都 is the most common and versatile choice; 也 works best when the meaning is closer to "also" or "in addition."
连 ever optional?Yes, but only in very casual, rapid speech, and it's a feature of native fluency. The 都 or 也 must always be present to carry the emphatic meaning. For learners at the B2 level, it is highly recommended to always use the full 连...都/也 pattern to avoid errors and ensure clarity.
Absolutely. Emphasizing a person is very common, especially when their action (or inaction) is surprising given who they are. Example: 这件事连三岁小孩都知道 (Even a three-year-old child knows this).
Yes. The emphasized element can be a time, place, or other adverbial phrase. Example for time: 他工作很努力，连周末都在加班 (He works so hard, he even works overtime on weekends). Example for location: 他的房间很乱，连下脚的地方都没有 (His room is so messy, there isn't even a place to step).
他都不喝水 and 他连水都不喝?The first sentence, 他都不喝水, is ambiguous. It could mean "None of them drink water" if 他 refers to a group, or it could be a shortened form of the 连...都 pattern. The second sentence, using the full 连...都 structure, is unambiguous and forcefully emphasizes that among all possible things to drink, he won't even drink water, the most basic one. The 连 is crucial for removing ambiguity and adding the specific rhetorical flavor of surprise.
Structure of 连...都/也
| Component | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
连
|
Marker
|
连
|
|
Extreme Element
|
Focus
|
他
|
|
都/也
|
Emphatic Particle
|
都
|
|
Verb/Adjective
|
Predicate
|
知道
|
Common Variations
| Structure | Usage |
|---|---|
|
连...都
|
Standard/Affirmative
|
|
连...也
|
Negative/Hypothetical
|
|
连...都...不/没
|
Strong Negation
|
Meanings
This structure is used to emphasize an extreme case, suggesting that if even this extreme example is true, then everything else must be true as well.
Extreme Case
Highlighting an extreme example to prove a point.
“{连|lián}小孩子{都|dōu}{知道|zhīdào}这件事。”
“{连|lián}老师{都|dōu}{没|méi}{听过|tīngguò}这个词。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
连 + N + 都 + V
|
连他都知道
|
|
Negative
|
连 + N + 都/也 + 不/没 + V
|
连他都不知道
|
|
Adjective
|
连 + N + 都 + Adj
|
连这都很难
|
|
Hypothetical
|
连 + N + 也 + V
|
连他也不去
|
|
Extreme Case
|
连 + N + 都 + V + 得 + C
|
连我都能看懂
|
Formality Spectrum
连他亦不知晓。 (General knowledge)
连他都不知道。 (General knowledge)
连他都不知道啊。 (General knowledge)
连他都不知道，搞什么？ (General knowledge)
The 连...都 Logic
Function
- Surprise Surprise
- Frustration Frustration
Structure
- 连+N+都+V Standard Form
Examples by Level
{连|lián}我{都|dōu}{不|bù}{知道|zhīdao}。
Even I don't know.
{连|lián}他{都|dōu}{来|lái}{了|le}。
Even he came.
{连|lián}猫{都|dōu}{吃|chī}{鱼|yú}。
Even cats eat fish.
{连|lián}水{都|dōu}{没有|méiyǒu}。
There isn't even water.
{连|lián}最{简单|jiǎndān}的{题|tí}{都|dōu}{做|zuò}{不|bù}{对|duì}。
Can't even get the simplest question right.
{连|lián}周末{都|dōu}{要|yào}{工作|gōngzuò}。
Even on weekends I have to work.
{连|lián}他{也|yě}{不|bù}{想|xiǎng}{去|qù}。
Even he doesn't want to go.
{连|lián}你{都|dōu}{不|bù}{相信|xiāngxìn}{我|wǒ}？
Even you don't believe me?
{连|lián}{这么|zhème}{贵|guì}的{车|chē}{都|dōu}{买|mǎi}{得|de}{起|qǐ}。
He can even afford such an expensive car.
{连|lián}这种{话|huà}{都|dōu}{说|shuō}{得|de}{出来|chūlái}。
How could you say something like that?
{连|lián}他{自己|zìjǐ}{都|dōu}{没|méi}{意识到|yìshídào}。
Even he himself didn't realize it.
{连|lián}一个{人|rén}{都|dōu}{没有|méiyǒu}。
There isn't even a single person here.
{连|lián}这种{常识|chángshì}{都|dōu}{不|bù}{懂|dǒng}，{太|tài}{离谱|lípǔ}{了|le}。
Not even knowing this common sense is ridiculous.
{连|lián}最{乐观|lèguān}的{人|rén}{都|dōu}{感到|gǎndào}{绝望|juéwàng}。
Even the most optimistic person feels hopeless.
{连|lián}他{也|yě}{无能为力|wúnéngwéilì}。
Even he is powerless.
{连|lián}这{点|diǎn}{小事|xiǎoshì}{都|dōu}{做|zuò}{不好|bùhǎo}。
Can't even do this small thing well.
{连|lián}那{位|wèi}{权威|quánwēi}{专家|zhuānjiā}{都|dōu}{对|duì}{此|cǐ}{表示|biǎoshì}{怀疑|huáiyí}。
Even that authoritative expert expressed doubt about this.
{连|lián}他{那|nà}{向来|xiànglái}{冷静|lěngjìng}的{性格|xìnggé}{都|dōu}{变得|biànde}{急躁|jízào}{起来|qǐlái}。
Even his usually calm personality became impatient.
{连|lián}连{年|nián}{亏损|kuīsǔn}{的|de}{企业|qǐyè}{都|dōu}{开始|kāishǐ}{盈利|yínglì}{了|le}。
Even enterprises that have been losing money for years have started to profit.
{连|lián}最{微小|wēixiǎo}{的|de}{细节|xìjié}{都|dōu}{被|bèi}{他|tā}{考虑|kǎolǜ}{到|dào}{了|le}。
Even the smallest details were considered by him.
{连|lián}那{种|zhǒng}{早已|zǎoyǐ}{被|bèi}{遗忘|yíwàng}{的|de}{传统|chuántǒng}{都|dōu}{被|bèi}{重新|chóngxīn}{挖掘|wājué}{出来|chūlái}{了|le}。
Even those long-forgotten traditions have been unearthed.
{连|lián}连{日|rì}{的|de}{暴雨|bàoyǔ}{都|dōu}{没能|méinéng}{阻挡|zǔdǎng}{他们|tāmen}{的|de}{决心|juéxīn}。
Even the days of heavy rain could not stop their determination.
{连|lián}他{那|nà}{顽固|wángù}{的|de}{父亲|fùqīn}{都|dōu}{不得不|bùdébù}{向|xiàng}{现实|xiànshí}{低头|dītóu}。
Even his stubborn father had to bow to reality.
{连|lián}最{不|bù}{可能|kěnéng}{的|de}{情况|qíngkuàng}{都|dōu}{被|bèi}{纳入|nàrù}{了|le}{考量|kǎoliáng}。
Even the most unlikely scenarios have been taken into consideration.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'even', but 连...都 is a structure, 甚至 is a conjunction.
Both can be used with 连.
Both express surprise.
Common Mistakes
连他知道
连他都知道
他连知道
连他都知道
连都他知道
连他都知道
连他都懂
连他都懂
连饭没吃
连饭都没吃
连我也不去
连我都不去
连他去
连他都去
甚至他都去
连他都去
连他都想去不
连他都不想去
他连去都
连他都去
连连他都去
连他都去
连他都去吗？
连他都去？
连他都去，但是...
连他都去，何况...
Sentence Patterns
连___都___
连___都___不___
连___都___得___
连___也___
Real World Usage
连网都没有，怎么发照片？
连你都不理我？
连周末我都愿意加班。
连地图都没有，太麻烦了。
连筷子都没给！
连最基本的理论都不对。
Use 也 for negative
Don't forget 都
Extreme element
Tone matters
Smart Tips
Put the person right after 连.
Use the structure to highlight the lack of something.
Use the structure to show the result was unexpected.
Use it to build an argument.
Pronunciation
Intonation
The word 连 should be slightly emphasized.
Surprise
连他都来啦！
High pitch on the extreme element.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Lian' as a link (chain). You are linking an extreme item to the rest of the sentence to show it's all connected.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant scale. On one side, you put a tiny feather (the extreme element). Even that tiny feather makes the scale tip completely.
Rhyme
连字开头要记住，极端例子都清楚。
Story
Xiao Wang is so smart. Even the hardest math problem (连最难的题) he can solve (都能做出来). Even his teacher (连老师) is impressed (都佩服).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your day using 连...都 to describe things that surprised you.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in daily life to express shared frustration.
Similar usage, often slightly softer in tone.
Often mixed with Cantonese particles.
The structure evolved from the verb 连 (to connect/link).
Conversation Starters
你今天有什么让你惊讶的事吗？
你觉得什么东西最难学？
你有没有遇到过很奇怪的服务？
你最喜欢的一本书是什么？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
他连书___不看。
Find and fix the mistake:
连他知道。
Which is correct?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Even he doesn't know.
Answer starts with: 连他都...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use: 连, 他, 都, 去
连他___不想去。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises他连书___不看。
Find and fix the mistake:
连他知道。
Which is correct?
都 / 连 / 我 / 不知道
Even he doesn't know.
连猫都吃鱼
Use: 连, 他, 都, 去
连他___不想去。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises都 / 没 / 连 / 喝 / 水 / 他
Even my mom knows.
Match the items
{外边|wàibian}{太|tài}{冷|lěng}{了|le}，{连|lián}{狗|gǒu} ___ {不|bù}{想|xiǎng}{出去|chūqù}。
{连|lián}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{字|zì}{都|dōu}{认识|rènshi}{不|bù}{我|wǒ}。
You want to say it's so hot that even the ice cream melted immediately.
都 / 连 / 没 / 钱 / 买 / 菜 / 我
He doesn't even have a phone.
{他|tā}{太|tài}{忙|máng}{了|le}，___ {睡觉|shuìjiào}{的|de}{时间|shíjiān}{都|dōu}{没有|méiyǒu}。
A: {这|zhè}{个|gè}{汉字|hànzì}{你|nǐ}{认识|rènshi}{吗|ma}？ B: {太|tài}{难|nán}{了|le}，...
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it needs a predicate (verb or adjective) to complete the thought.
No, it can be affirmative (e.g., 'Even he knows').
也 is common in negative or hypothetical sentences.
Yes, but be careful with the tone; it can sound emphatic.
Forgetting the 都 particle.
连...都 focuses on a noun, 甚至 connects clauses.
Yes, it is standard Mandarin, though usage varies slightly.
Try writing sentences about things that surprised you today.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Incluso/Ni siquiera
Chinese uses the same structure for both affirmative and negative.
Même
Chinese is a sandwich structure.
Sogar
Chinese requires the particle 都.
〜でさえ / 〜すら
The marker position is reversed.
حتى
Arabic doesn't require a second particle like 都.
连...都
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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