Use '连...都/也' to stress that something happened even in the most unlikely circumstances.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Emphasizes 'even' in unexpected situations.
- Highlights the extent or severity of something.
- Common in spoken Chinese, especially for surprise.
Overview
“连...都/也” 是一个汉语中非常常用的强调结构，用来表达一种“甚至”、“即使”的意思。它通过将一个通常不被认为会发生或不被期待发生的事例放在句首，然后用“都”或“也”引出后面的结果，从而达到强调的目的。这个结构尤其适用于表达意外、惊讶、强调某事的普遍性或严重性。
基本结构是：连 + (名词/代词/名词短语) + 都/也 + (动词短语/形容词短语)。
“连”后面通常接一个表示范围、程度或普遍性的词语，比如代词（我、你、他、我们、你们、他们）、名词（孩子、老人、同事、朋友）、名词短语（最忙的人、最简单的工作）等。
“都”和“也”在这里意思相近，都可以用来连接“连”后面的部分和句子的主要内容，起到强调作用。在北方方言中，“都”的使用更为普遍。
表达无奈或抱怨：例如，“我忙得连吃饭的时间都没有。”
“连...都/也” 在功能上与英语的 'even' 非常相似，都用于强调。但 'even' 可以单独使用，而“连...都/也” 是一个固定搭配。
“甚至”比“连...都/也”更书面化一些，可以单独使用，也可以和“连”搭配使用（如“甚至连...”），但“连...都/也”是更口语化、更自然的表达方式，尤其在A2级别更常用。
这个结构和“连...都/也”意思非常接近，也是用来表示即使在某种条件下也怎样。例如，“就是他，也无法解决这个问题。”它同样带有强调意味。
Examples
他太忙了，连吃饭的时间都没有。
everydayHe is so busy that he doesn't even have time to eat.
这个问题很复杂，连专家都无法给出明确的答案。
formalThis problem is very complex; even experts cannot provide a clear answer.
哎呀，这么点儿小事，连小孩子都知道该怎么做！
informalOh my, such a small matter, even a child knows how to do it!
在这次灾难中，连最坚固的建筑物也未能幸免。
academicIn this disaster, even the strongest buildings could not escape damage.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
连名字都不知道
don't even know the name
连看都没看
didn't even look
连...都算不上
cannot even be considered...
Often Confused With
'甚至' can be used more broadly and is often more formal. While '连...都/也' is a fixed structure emphasizing a specific noun/pronoun, '甚至' can introduce clauses or phrases and often implies a greater degree of surprise or extremity.
'就是' (often followed by '也') can also express 'even if' or 'even so', focusing on a condition. '连...都/也' focuses more on the subject or object that is surprisingly involved or affected.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This structure is very common in spoken Chinese and is generally considered neutral to informal. It's effective for adding emphasis and conveying surprise or the extent of a situation. Be mindful of context; while often used for negative or surprising events, it can also apply to positive ones.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly omit '都' or '也', or place '连' incorrectly. Ensure '连' precedes the element being emphasized, and '都' or '也' follows it before the main predicate.
Tips
Focus on the unexpected
Use '连...都/也' when you want to highlight something surprising or extreme. Think about what is usually *not* expected to happen, and put that after '连'.
Avoid overuse
While useful, overusing this structure can make your speech sound repetitive or overly dramatic. Use it strategically for emphasis.
Expressing shared experience
This structure can effectively convey a sense of shared understanding or common experience, especially when emphasizing that 'everyone' or 'even the most unlikely person' is involved.
Word Origin
The character '连' (lián) originally depicted a rope connecting things. In this grammatical structure, it serves to 'connect' an unexpected or extreme case (like a person, object, or situation) to the main statement, emphasizing that even this connected element is involved or affected.
Cultural Context
The use of '连...都/也' reflects a common way of expressing surprise or emphasizing the severity/scope of events in Chinese culture. It helps to create a more vivid and relatable description of situations.
Memory Tip
Think of '连' as 'linking' the unexpected element to the main action, and '都/也' as the 'glue' that emphasizes this surprising link.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。 “连”后面可以加名词、代词、名词短语，甚至是一些表示范围的词语。关键在于它要强调的是那个“极端”或“出乎意料”的点。
在“连...都/也”这个结构中，“都”和“也”的意思非常接近，都起强调作用。在很多情况下可以互换使用。但“都”在北方口语中更常用一些。
不一定。虽然它常用于表达意外或负面情况，但也可以用在正面情况，用来强调程度。例如：“他进步很快，连老师都夸他了。”
在“连...都/也”这个固定搭配里，“连”不能单独使用。它必须和“都”或“也”一起构成强调句式。
Test Yourself
他太累了，___ 站都快站不住了。
这里需要用“连”来引出“站都站不住”这个极端情况，表示他非常非常累。
这句话最恰当的表达方式是：
选项B使用了“连...也”的结构，准确地强调了“即使是最简单的问题”他也无法回答，表达了惊讶或强调的意味。
（我，忙，饭，没时间，吃）
这个句子用“连...都”强调了“忙”的程度，达到了“连吃饭这么基本的事情都没时间做”的程度。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '连...都/也' to stress that something happened even in the most unlikely circumstances.
- Emphasizes 'even' in unexpected situations.
- Highlights the extent or severity of something.
- Common in spoken Chinese, especially for surprise.
Focus on the unexpected
Use '连...都/也' when you want to highlight something surprising or extreme. Think about what is usually *not* expected to happen, and put that after '连'.
Avoid overuse
While useful, overusing this structure can make your speech sound repetitive or overly dramatic. Use it strategically for emphasis.
Expressing shared experience
This structure can effectively convey a sense of shared understanding or common experience, especially when emphasizing that 'everyone' or 'even the most unlikely person' is involved.
Examples
4 of 4他太忙了，连吃饭的时间都没有。
He is so busy that he doesn't even have time to eat.
这个问题很复杂，连专家都无法给出明确的答案。
This problem is very complex; even experts cannot provide a clear answer.
哎呀，这么点儿小事，连小孩子都知道该怎么做！
Oh my, such a small matter, even a child knows how to do it!
在这次灾难中，连最坚固的建筑物也未能幸免。
In this disaster, even the strongest buildings could not escape damage.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
