How to say “not even” in Chinese with 连 (lián)
连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb
Advanced uses of "连 (lián)"
连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb
HSK 4Sentence PatternsAdvanced uses of "连 (lián)"
Rule structure
连 (lián) emphasizes the extreme case. In advanced use, it can be followed by verb phrases (连看都没看 (lián kàn dōu méi kàn)) and often pairs with negation for emphasis.
Rule structure
连 (lián) emphasizes the extreme case. In advanced use, it can be followed by verb phrases (连看都没看 (lián kàn dōu méi kàn)) and often pairs with negation for emphasis.
Examples
他连看都没看我一眼。
Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn wǒ yī yǎn.
He didn’t even take a look at me.
Examples
他连看都没看我一眼。
Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn wǒ yī yǎn.
He didn’t even take a look at me.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Advanced uses of "连 (lián)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: 连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb. For example: 他连看都没看我一眼。 — “He didn’t even take a look at me.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他连看都没看我一眼。 — “He didn’t even take a look at me.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
Explaining purpose with "为 (wèi) … 而 (ér) …"
为 (wèi) + Purpose + 而 (ér) + Action
Using "以 (yǐ) … 为 (wèi) …"
以 (yǐ) + Noun 1 + 为 (wèi) + Noun 2
Emphasizing a negation with "并 (bìng)"
并 (bìng) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.
Expressing "any" with "任何 (rènhé)"
任何 (rènhé) + Noun + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)…
Expressing "both… and…" with "既 (jì) … 又 (yòu) …"
既 (jì)⋯⋯也 (yě) / 又 (yòu)⋯⋯
Expressing location with "在 (zài) … 上 (shàng)/下 (xià)/里 (lǐ)"
在 (zài) + Place + 上 (shàng) / 下 (xià) / 里 (lǐ) / 旁边 (pángbiān)
Indicating the whole with "全 (quán)"
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun
Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree
