Expressing 'Even' with 连...都/也 (lián...dōu/yě)
连 and 都/也 to show surprise or disbelief.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 连...都/也 to emphasize that even the most extreme or unexpected example is included in your statement.
- Place 连 before the subject or object being emphasized.
- Follow the emphasized element with 都 or 也.
- The verb usually follows the 都/也 marker.
Overview
The Chinese grammatical pattern 连...都/也 (lián...dōu/yě) is a fundamental B1 structure used to express emphasis or extremity, roughly translating to "even..." in English. Its core function is to highlight an exceptional or extreme case within a given context, thereby intensifying the statement and implying that if this particular (often surprising or unlikely) thing is true, then other less extreme or related things are also true (or false). This pattern injects a strong sense of implication and rhetorical force into your speech.
Linguistically, this pattern reflects a common strategy in Chinese to overtly mark emphasis through specific structural arrangements rather than relying solely on intonation. 连 (lián) acts as an emphatic marker, introducing the element that is being singled out as noteworthy. 都 (dōu) or 也 (yě) then serve as reinforcers, confirming the exhaustive, inclusive, or exceptional nature of the statement in relation to the marked element.
Consider the difference between simply stating 小孩子知道。 (Xiǎoháizi zhīdào. - A child knows.) and 连小孩子都知道。 (Lián xiǎoháizi dōu zhīdào. - Even a child knows.).
The latter immediately conveys that the knowledge is so basic that its possession by a child is remarkable, implying everyone must know it.
This structure is versatile, allowing you to emphasize various parts of a sentence, such as the subject, object, or an adverbial phrase. Mastering it will significantly enhance your ability to express surprise, disbelief, commendation, or complaint with greater nuance and impact in Chinese. It's a key tool for moving beyond basic sentence construction and adding a layer of sophisticated expression to your communication.
For instance, if you want to say something is incredibly difficult, you might use 连老师都觉得难。 (Lián lǎoshī dōu juéde nán. - Even the teacher finds it difficult.), implying its immense challenge.
How This Grammar Works
连...都/也 pattern operates by establishing a baseline of extremity. The word 连 (lián), meaning "to link," "to connect," or "even," precedes the element that represents this extreme point. This element is the focus of emphasis and could be a noun, pronoun, quantifier, or an entire phrase.连 before it, you are signaling to your listener that what follows is the exceptional case you wish to highlight.都 (dōu) or 也 (yě) then serve to complete the emphatic structure. While both generally translate to "even," they carry subtle differences in nuance:都(dōu): This particle typically denotes universality, totality, or inclusiveness. When paired with连,都strongly reinforces the idea that the statement holds true even for the extreme case, and by extension, for all less extreme cases. It often appears in both positive and negative contexts, lending a stronger, more encompassing sense of "even." For example,连最简单的生词他都忘了。(Lián zuì jiǎndān de shēngcí tā dōu wàng le. - Even the simplest new words, he forgot.), implies a complete memory lapse.
也(yě): Meaning "also" or "too,"也reinforces the extremity with a slightly more additive or confirmatory tone. It is particularly common and natural in negative sentences, where it forms the powerful "not even..." construction. In positive contexts, while grammatically possible,都is generally preferred for a stronger emphatic punch. Compare连小王也来了。(Lián Xiǎo Wáng yě lái le. - Even Xiao Wang came (unexpectedly, too).), which feels like an additional surprise, versus连小王都来了。(Lián Xiǎo Wáng dōu lái le. - Even Xiao Wang came (implying everyone else definitely did).).
连 is often moved to an earlier position in the sentence. This structural shift itself contributes to the emphasis, drawing immediate attention to the exceptional item.我没时间睡觉。 (Wǒ méi shíjiān shuìjiào. - I don't have time to sleep.), to emphasize the lack of time for even sleeping, you would say 我连睡觉的时间也没有。 (Wǒ lián shuìjiào de shíjiān yě méiyǒu. - I don't even have time to sleep.).睡觉的时间 is fronted after 连.连...都/也 requires grasping its role as a cohesive unit where 连 identifies the focus of extremity, and 都/也 solidify the implication of that extremity within the broader statement. This duality allows you to convey nuanced levels of surprise, difficulty, or absence effectively.Formation Pattern
连...都/也 pattern is highly structured, ensuring clarity in marking the emphasized element. The basic blueprint involves 连 followed by the element you wish to emphasize, which is then followed by 都 or 也 before the main verb phrase. The specific arrangement depends on what part of the sentence is being highlighted.
连 + [Subject] + 都 + [Verb Phrase] | 连小孩儿都会唱这首歌。 | Lián xiǎoháir dōu huì chàng zhè shǒu gē. | Even children can sing this song. (Implies it's very easy.) |\
连 + [Subject] + 也 + [Verb Phrase (Negative)] | 连他也不相信这个故事。 | Lián tā yě bù xiāngxìn zhège gùshì. | Even he doesn't believe this story. (Implies it's highly improbable.) |
小孩儿, 他) is the extreme case: if they can do/think something, it's particularly noteworthy.
连 + [Object] + 都 + [Verb Phrase] | 我连一个苹果都没吃。 | Wǒ lián yī ge píngguǒ dōu méi chī. | I didn't even eat a single apple. (Implies extreme hunger/lack.) |\
连 + [Object] + 也 + [Verb Phrase (Negative)] | 她连你的名字也没记住。 | Tā lián nǐ de míngzi yě méi jìzhù. | She didn't even remember your name. (Implies profound disregard/forgetfulness.) |
一个苹果 and 你的名字 are objects but appear before their respective verbs (吃, 记住).
连 + [Adverbial/Quantifier] + 都 + [Predicate] | 连明天他都得上班。 | Lián míngtiān tā dōu děi shàngbān. | Even tomorrow, he has to work. (Implies heavy workload, even on a day off.) |\
连 + [Adverbial/Quantifier] + 也 + [Predicate (Negative)] | 连一分钟他也不想等。 | Lián yī fēnzhōng tā yě bù xiǎng děng. | He doesn't even want to wait for one minute. (Implies extreme impatience.) |
连: In very informal or rapid speech, 连 can sometimes be omitted, but the fronting of the emphasized element and the presence of 都/也 still convey the emphatic meaning. For learners at the B1 level, it is highly recommended to always include 连 to ensure clarity and correctness: 他一个字都没说。 (Tā yī ge zì dōu méi shuō. - He didn't say a word.) is understandable, but 他连一个字都没说。 (Tā lián yī ge zì dōu méi shuō. - He didn't even say a word.) is more explicitly emphatic.
不 / 没 Distinction: When forming negative sentences within this pattern, remember to use 不 (bù) for negating habitual actions, intentions, or states, and 没 (méi) for negating completed actions or existence. 连...都/也 works seamlessly with both: 连他都不来。 (Lián tā dōu bù lái. - Even he's not coming.) vs. 连他也没来。 (Lián tā yě méi lái. - Even he didn't come.).
When To Use It
连...都/也 pattern is a potent tool for conveying a range of communicative functions, primarily centered around emphasis and extremity. You should employ this structure whenever you wish to highlight an exceptional circumstance and draw a broader implication from it.连...都/也 is your go-to. It signals that a particular event or state is beyond the listener's (or speaker's) ordinary expectations.连这么小的孩子都会用平板电脑，真是厉害！(Lián zhème xiǎo de háizi dōu huì yòng píngbǎn diànnǎo, zhēnshi lìhai! - Even such a small child can use a tablet, that's really impressive!)连我这个对历史一窍不通的人也听懂了，教授讲得真好。(Lián wǒ zhège duì lìshǐ yī qiào bù tōng de rén yě tīng dǒng le, jiàoshòu jiǎng de zhēn hǎo. - Even I, who know nothing about history, understood it; the professor explained it really well.)
连最复杂的数学题他都能解出来，这简直是天才。(Lián zuì fùzá de shùxué tí tā dōu néng jiě chūlái, zhè jiǎnzhí shì tiāncái. - Even the most complex math problems he can solve; he's simply a genius.) (Implying all easier problems are trivial for him).他病得太重了，连饭都吃不下。(Tā bìng de tài zhòng le, lián fàn dōu chī bù xià. - He's so sick, he can't even eat.) (Highlighting a severe condition that prevents even basic bodily functions).
不 or 没.房间里连一张椅子都没有。(Fángjiān lǐ lián yī zhāng yǐzi dōu méiyǒu. - In the room, there isn't even a single chair.)我太忙了，连喝口水的时间也没有。(Wǒ tài máng le, lián hē kǒu shuǐ de shíjiān yě méiyǒu. - I'm too busy; I don't even have time to drink some water.)
连...都/也 can express frustration.他连电脑都不知道怎么开机。(Tā lián diànnǎo dōu bù zhīdào zěnme kāijī. - He doesn't even know how to turn on a computer.) (Suggests extreme lack of basic tech knowledge).
连...都/也 construction overtly signals that a particular piece of information is presented as extreme or exceptional, ensuring the listener grasps the full weight of the statement's implication. It's a linguistic tool that enhances expressiveness and emotional resonance, making your Chinese sound much more native.Common Mistakes
连...都/也. Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying reasons is crucial for accurate and natural usage.都 or 也:连 can stand alone to convey "even." However, 连 functions as a marker, introducing the emphasized element, while 都 or 也 complete the emphatic structure by confirming the universality or exceptionality. Without 都/也, the sentence feels grammatically incomplete and lacks the intended force.- Incorrect:
连小孩子知道。(Lián xiǎoháizi zhīdào.) - Correct:
连小孩子都知道。(Lián xiǎoháizi dōu zhīdào. - Even children know.)
连 + [Object] after the verb. This is incorrect. The emphasized element, especially the object, must typically be fronted (placed before the verb).- Incorrect:
我没做完连作业。(Wǒ méi zuò wán lián zuòyè.) - Correct:
我连作业都没做完。(Wǒ lián zuòyè dōu méi zuò wán. - I didn't even finish my homework.)
- Incorrect:
我没钱连一分钱。(Wǒ méi qián lián yī fēn qián.) - Correct:
我连一分钱也没有。(Wǒ lián yī fēn qián yě méiyǒu. - I don't even have a single penny.)
连...都/也. Using it for mundane or unremarkable facts can sound unnatural or overly dramatic, akin to constantly exclaiming "Gasp!" in English.- Inappropriate:
连我喜欢吃米饭。(Lián wǒ xǐhuān chī mǐfàn.) (Unless it's truly surprising that you, specifically, like rice.) - Better:
我喜欢吃米饭。(Wǒ xǐhuān chī mǐfàn. - I like to eat rice.)
连 with 和 (hé) or 跟 (gēn):连 with conjunctions meaning "and" because it involves an inclusion. However, 连 specifically marks an extreme inclusion for emphasis, not a simple enumeration.- Incorrect:
我连朋友去看电影。(Wǒ lián péngyou qù kàn diànyǐng.) - Correct (for "and"):
我跟朋友去看电影。(Wǒ gēn péngyou qù kàn diànyǐng. - I went to the movies with friends.) - Correct (for "even"):
连我朋友也喜欢看这部电影。(Lián wǒ péngyou yě xǐhuān kàn zhè bù diànyǐng. - Even my friend likes this movie.)
甚至 (shènzhì):连...都/也 and 甚至 can translate to "even," but their grammatical roles and nuances differ significantly. 甚至 is an adverb that introduces a further, more extreme item in a list or sequence, often implying a cumulative effect. 连...都/也 is a structural pattern that highlights one specific extreme case to draw a broader implication.连...都/也 | 甚至 |连猫都怕他。 (Lián māo dōu pà tā. - Even cats are afraid of him.) | 他会说英语、法语，甚至还会说汉语。 (Tā huì shuō Yīngyǔ, Fǎyǔ, shènzhì hái huì shuō Hànyǔ. - He can speak English, French, and even Chinese.) |都/也, you can avoid common pitfalls and use 连...都/也 confidently and accurately.Real Conversations
To truly grasp 连...都/也, observe how native speakers deploy it in everyday interactions. This pattern injects natural emphasis and often conveys underlying emotions like exasperation, surprise, or admiration.
Scenario 1
Imagine two students discussing a particularly challenging assignment:
- A: 这个论文我写了一个星期了，还是毫无头绪。 (Zhège lùnwén wǒ xiě le yī gè xīngqī le, háishì háo wú tóuxù. - I’ve been writing this essay for a week and still have no clue.)
- B: 是啊，连老师都说这次的题目确实很难。 (Shì a, lián lǎoshī dōu shuō zhè cì de tímù quèshí hěn nán. - Yeah, even the teacher said this topic is indeed very difficult.)
Here, student B uses 连老师都说 to validate A's frustration, emphasizing that if even the teacher admits it's hard, then it truly is.
Scenario 2
Two friends marveling at someone's unexpected skill:
- A: 你看到小李的表演了吗？他竟然会弹钢琴！ (Nǐ kàndào Xiǎo Lǐ de biǎoyǎn le ma? Tā jìngrán huì tán gāngqín! - Did you see Xiao Li's performance? He actually knows how to play the piano!)
- B: 当然！连我这个音乐学院毕业的人都感到惊讶。 (Dāngrán! Lián wǒ zhège yīnyuè xuéyuàn bìyè de rén dōu gǎndào jīngyà. - Of course! Even I, a music conservatory graduate, was surprised.)
B's statement uses 连我这个...人都 to emphasize that someone with professional musical training found it surprising, underscoring Xiao Li's unexpected talent.
Scenario 3
Someone complaining about being extremely busy:
- 我最近工作太忙了，连回家吃饭的时间都没有。 (Wǒ zuìjìn gōngzuò tài máng le, lián huí jiā chī fàn de shíjiān dōu méiyǒu. - I've been so busy with work recently that I don't even have time to go home to eat.)
This vividly paints a picture of extreme busyness by highlighting the absence of time for a basic activity like eating a meal at home.
Scenario 4
A post on WeChat Moments:
- 今天等外卖等了两个小时，连催了好几次也没用！ (Jīntiān děng wàimài děng le liǎng ge xiǎoshí, lián cuī le hǎo jǐ cì yě méi yòng! - Waited two hours for takeout today, and even repeatedly urging them several times was useless!)
Here, 连催了好几次也没用 expresses the frustration of an extreme effort (multiple calls) yielding no result, a common use for 连...也 in negative contexts.
These examples showcase how 连...都/也 provides a succinct yet powerful way to convey emphasis, emotion, and implication within various conversational settings, making your Chinese more expressive and engaging. It’s not just about stating facts, but about highlighting their significance.
Quick FAQ
连...都/也, designed to clarify its nuances and practical application.连...都/也 be used without 连?连 can be omitted. For instance, 他一个字都没说。 (Tā yī ge zì dōu méi shuō. - He didn't say a word.) can imply "He didn't even say a word" due to the fronting of 一个字 and the presence of 都.连 to ensure the emphatic meaning is explicitly conveyed and grammatically correct. Omitting 连 while retaining the 都/也 and fronted element is a feature of more advanced, colloquial speech.都 and 也 within this pattern?都 (dōu) generally carries a stronger sense of universality or totality. It's more frequently used in positive statements to emphasize that something applies to all (even the extreme) cases, such as 连小孩子都知道。 (Lián xiǎoháizi dōu zhīdào. - Even children know.).也 (yě), while also conveying "even," is particularly common and often feels more natural in negative contexts to mean "not even," as in 连一分钟他也不想等。 (Lián yī fēnzhōng tā yě bù xiǎng děng. - He doesn't even want to wait for one minute.). In positive contexts, 都 often feels more impactful, whereas 也 might imply an additional, unexpected inclusion.都 is generally a safer choice for strong emphasis; for negative sentences, both are very common.连 emphasize?连 is remarkably versatile and can emphasize various sentence components. This includes:- Subjects:
连老师都知道了。(Lián lǎoshī dōu zhīdào le. - Even the teacher knows.) - Objects:
他连饭都没吃。(Tā lián fàn dōu méi chī. - He didn't even eat.) - Time Expressions:
连周末他都加班。(Lián zhōumò tā dōu jiābān. - Even on weekends, he works overtime.) - Place Expressions:
连我们家附近也堵车了。(Lián wǒmen jiā fùjìn yě dǔchē le. - Even near our house, there's a traffic jam.) - Quantifiers or Small Amounts:
连一分钱我都没有。(Lián yī fēn qián wǒ dōu méiyǒu. - I don't even have one cent.) - Short Phrases (representing an extreme case):
连这么简单的问题他都不会。(Lián zhème jiǎndān de wèntí tā dōu bù huì. - Even such a simple problem, he doesn't know how to do.)
吃得完, 看不懂, 做不好) does not alter the fundamental structure of 连...都/也. The 连...都/也 pattern always precedes the entire verb phrase, including any complements. The complements simply describe the outcome or potential outcome of the action.他连这么难的题都做出来了。(Tā lián zhème nán de tí dōu zuò chūlái le. - He even solved such a difficult problem.) (做出来- resultative complement)我连一个字都看不懂。(Wǒ lián yī ge zì dōu kàn bù dǒng. - I can't even understand a single character.) (看不懂- potential complement)
[Subject] + 连 + [Emphasized Element] + 都/也 + [Verb + Complement Phrase].连...都/也 is used for factual or actual extreme cases. It highlights something that is true or has happened. To express "even if" (a hypothetical condition), you would use different structures like 即使...也... (jíshǐ...yě...) or 就算是...也... (jiùsuàn shì...yě...).即使下雨，我也要去。 (Jíshǐ xiàyǔ, wǒ yě yào qù. - Even if it rains, I'm going.) cannot be replaced by 连下雨我都去。 (unless it's an extreme fact that you went despite it raining).连...都/也 with greater precision and confidence, ensuring your Chinese is both grammatically sound and effectively communicative.Formation Pattern
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
连
|
Subject/Object
|
都/也
|
Verb/Adjective
|
Meanings
This structure is used to highlight an extreme or unexpected case to emphasize a point.
Extreme inclusion
Emphasizing that even the most unlikely person or thing does something.
“连{老师|lǎoshī}都{不|bù}{知道|zhīdào}。”
Total negation
Emphasizing that not even a small amount exists or happens.
“他连{一|yī}{杯|bēi}{水|shuǐ}都{没|méi}{喝|hē}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
连 + S/O + 都 + V
|
连猫都喜欢他
|
|
Negative
|
连 + S/O + 都 + 不/没 + V
|
连饭都没吃
|
|
Question
|
连 + S/O + 都 + V + 吗?
|
连你都不知道吗?
|
|
With 也
|
连 + S/O + 也 + V
|
连他也来了
|
Formality Spectrum
连他亦不知晓。 (General)
连他都不知道。 (General)
连他都不知道呢。 (General)
连他都不知道啊！ (General)
The 'Even' Concept
Usage
- Surprise Disbelief
- Negation Total lack
Examples by Level
连{他|tā}都{去|qù}了。
Even he went.
我连{名字|míngzi}都{忘|wàng}了。
I even forgot the name.
连{这么|zhème}{简单|jiǎndān}的{题|tí}他都不会。
He can't even do such a simple problem.
连{最|zuì}{聪明|cōngmíng}的{学生|xuéshēng}也{没|méi}{做|zuò}{出来|chūlái}。
Even the smartest student couldn't solve it.
连{这种|zhèzhǒng}{情况|qíngkuàng}下，他都{保持|bǎochí}{冷静|lěngjìng}。
Even under these circumstances, he remained calm.
连{那|nà}{位|wèi}{老|lǎo}{教授|jiàoshòu}都{对|duì}{此|cǐ}{表示|biǎoshì}{赞同|zàntóng}。
Even that old professor expressed agreement with this.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'even'.
Common Mistakes
连他知道
连他都知道
他连去
连他都去
连都他去
连他都去
连他去都
连他都去
连苹果我没吃
我连苹果都没吃
连一个都没吃苹果
连一个苹果都没吃
连他没去
连他都没去
连他都去过吗？
连他都去过吗？
连甚至他都去
连他都去
连他都去，也他去
连他都去
连他都去，因为他很忙
连他都去，尽管他很忙
连他都去，虽然他很忙
连他都去，尽管他很忙
连他都去，但是他很忙
连他都去，尽管他很忙
连他都去，可是他很忙
连他都去，尽管他很忙
Sentence Patterns
连___都___
Real World Usage
连你也忘了我？
Don't forget the marker
Smart Tips
Put the subject first.
Pronunciation
Stress
Stress the word after 连 for maximum emphasis.
Surprise
连...都...呢！
Adds a sense of disbelief.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '连' as a chain (连) that pulls the most extreme person into your sentence.
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny ant lifting a giant rock. You say: 'Even the ant (连蚂蚁) can (都) lift it!'
Rhyme
连 is the chain, 都 is the gain, even the smallest thing is in the frame.
Story
A king was so poor he had nothing. Even his crown was sold. Even his horse was gone. Even his friends left him.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you find surprising using this structure.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily speech to emphasize effort.
Derived from the verb 连 (to connect/link).
Conversation Starters
连你最好的朋友都不知道吗？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
连他___不吃。
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises连他___不吃。
Score: /1
Practice Bank
8 exercises连 / 他 / 都不 / 一个字 / 认识
Even my younger brother can speak a little Chinese.
I didn't even see his face.
昨天的晚会___张教授___参加了。
Match the following:
我看不懂连这封信。
Even the sunset today is beautiful.
由于堵车，我连飞机___没赶上。
Score: /8
FAQ (1)
No, it's grammatically incomplete.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
incluso
Chinese requires a second marker (都/也).
même
No second marker in French.
sogar
German syntax is more flexible.
sae
Chinese uses a frame (连...都).
hatta
Arabic uses it as a preposition, not a frame.
连...都
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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