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How to say “not even” in Chinese with 连 (lián) + verb

连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

连 (lián) + verb — not even

HSK 4Sentence Patterns

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.

他连说都没说。

Tā Lián shuō dōu méi shuō.

He didn’t even say anything.

他连看都没看我。

Ta Lian kan dou mei kan wo.

He didn't even look at me.

Practice

Build the sentence

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Characters

Words from this rule

连

lián

To connect, even

都

dōu

All, both

不

bù

No, not

他

tā

He

看

kàn

To look, to watch, to read

我

wǒ

I, me

一

yī

One, 1

说

shuō

To speak, to say, to tell

吃

chī

To eat

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “not even” in Chinese with 连 + verb?

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

为…而… — purpose with 为…而…

为 (wèi) + Purpose + 而 (ér) + Action

以 为 — take as, regard as

以 (yǐ) + Noun 1 + 为 (wèi) + Noun 2

并 — emphasizing negation

并 (bìng) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.

任何 — any, no matter what

任何 (rènhé) + Noun + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)…

既…又 — both… and…

既 (jì)⋯⋯也 (yě) / 又 (yòu)⋯⋯

在 — location with 上/下/里/旁边

在 (zài) + Place + 上 (shàng) / 下 (xià) / 里 (lǐ) / 旁边 (pángbiān)

全 — whole, entire

全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun

到 — until (time/place/degree)

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree