Grammar Point:
In English, you can express the idea of having absolutely no money, not even a single penny. This notion of “not even one” can also be conveyed in Chinese.
Structure
一 yì + MW + N + 也 yě or 都 dōu + negation
他一句中文也不會說他一句中文也不会说
He can’t speak a single word of Chinese.
我一個歐洲國家也沒去過我一个欧洲国家也没去过
I haven’t been to a single European country.
他一塊錢也沒有他一块钱也没有
He doesn’t have a single dollar.
我一杯酒都不能喝我一杯酒都不能喝
I can’t drink a drop of alcohol.
我今天到公司時,公司裡一個人都沒有我今天到公司时,公司里一个人都没有
When I arrived at the company today, there wasn’t a single person in the office.
你在說什麼,我一句也聽不懂你在说什么,我一句也听不懂
What are you saying? I don’t understand a word.
媽媽常說碗裡的飯必須吃得一粒都不剩妈妈常说碗里的饭必须吃得一粒都不剩
Mom often says that you must eat every grain of rice in your bowl.
FYI
To instill a sense of valuing every grain of rice, Taiwan has a charming proverb: “If you don’t finish every last grain of rice, you’ll marry someone with a pimply face in the future.” This saying playfully reminds children to savor every bite in their bowls. However, with the abundance of single people these days… Maybe intentionally leaving a few grains uneaten is the secret to finding a partner, even if they happen to have a pimply face.😁
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ I haven’t drunk a single drop of water today.
我今天一杯水都還沒喝我今天一杯水都还没喝
✔️ I won’t believe a single word you say.
你說的話我一個字也不會信你说的话我一个字也不会信
✔️ I’ve never been to Shanghai, not even once.
上海我一次也沒去過上海我一次也没去过