Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the structure 连 lián …也 yě/ 都 dōu… is used to emphasize “even,” highlighting something unexpected or extreme.
Structure
连 lián + N + 也 yě/ 都 dōu + V
連小孩也知道连小孩也知道
Even children know.
連一杯水也沒有连一杯水也没有
There isn’t even a glass of water.
他連早餐都沒吃就去上班了他连早餐都没吃就去上班了
He went to work without even having breakfast.
這部電影連我奶奶也喜歡看这部电影连我奶奶也喜欢看
Even my grandmother likes this movie.
她連生病也要去上課她连生病也要去上课
She goes to class even when she’s sick.
你連這麼簡單的文法也不會嗎你连这么简单的语法也不会吗
Do you not even understand such simple grammar?
* 連看都不看一眼连看都不看一眼
Won’t even take a look.
(This is a commonly used expression for special cases.)
连 lián + Clause + 也 yě/ 都 dōu + V
When 连 lián is followed by a clause, it must contain a Question Word.
連他為什麼生氣都不知道连他为什么生气都不知道
Don’t even know why he’s angry.
連去哪裡玩都沒想好连去哪里玩都没想好
Haven’t even decided where to go.
連什麼時候睡著的都不記得了连什么时候睡着的都不记得了
Don’t even remember when I fell asleep.
連誰是老闆都不清楚连谁是老板都不清楚
Don’t even know who the boss is.
連怎麼開始都不懂连怎么开始都不懂
Don’t even know how to start.
Common Mistakes
她連生病要去上課她连生病要去上课 ❌
(Missing 都 dōu or 也 yě)
她連生病也要去上課她连生病也要去上课 ✅
She goes to class even when she’s sick.
連要買東西也忘了连要买东西也忘了 ❌
(Missing question word)
連要買什麼東西也忘了连要买什么东西也忘了 ✅
Even forgot what to buy.
- “Even” in Chinese 1 – 甚至 shènzhì (HSK 4)