Emphasis with 连...也/都... (Even...)
用"连……也/都……"表示强调
Use the 连...也/都... pattern to express "even" for strong emphasis, highlighting something unexpected
Place 连 before the element you want to emphasize (a noun, verb, or clause), then follow with 也 or 都 before the main predicate. The pattern means "even X" and implies that X is the most extreme or unexpected case.
连 here is not the verb "to connect" — it is an adverb meaning "even." The emphasized element is the surprising or extreme case: if even THAT is true, then everything else certainly is too.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Emphasis with 连...也/都... (Even...) (用"连……也/都……"表示强调)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 用"连……也/都……"表示强调 pattern
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Understanding 用"连……也/都……"表示强调
The 连……也/都 pattern is one of Chinese's most expressive emphasis tools. It works like the English word "even" but with a fixed grammatical frame. When you say 他连这个作家的名字也没听说过, you are highlighting that this is surprising — the author's name is something he SHOULD know, yet he doesn't even know THAT. The word 连 marks what follows as the extreme case, and 也/都 drives home the emphasis. This pattern can emphasize nouns (连水都没喝), verbs (连看都不想看), or entire clauses. It is incredibly versatile and appears in both casual speech and formal writing. The emotional range is wide: surprise, disappointment, complaint, admiration, or humor — all depending on context.
Key Points
- 连 marks the "even" element — the most surprising or extreme case.
- 也 and 都 are interchangeable after the emphasized element; 都 is slightly stronger.
- Can emphasize nouns: 连名字都不知道 (doesn't even know the name).
- Can emphasize verbs: 连看都不想看 (doesn't even want to look).
- Often used with negation for "not even": 连最简单的都不会.
- Can also be used in positive statements for "even X can/does": 连小孩子都会做.
- The emphasized element after 连 is always the focus — it represents the limit case.
In Chinese storytelling and conversation, the 连……都 pattern is a favorite for building drama. A teacher might say 连最简单的题都做错了 to express deep disappointment. A friend might say 他连我的生日都忘了 to convey hurt. The pattern powerfully communicates that expectations have been violated.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他连这个作家的名字也没听说过。
He hasn't even heard of this author's name.
我连最简单的汉字都写不出来。
I can't even write the simplest characters.
她忙得连饭都没时间吃。
She is so busy she doesn't even have time to eat.
这道题连小学生都会做。
Even elementary school students can do this problem.
Positive use: even the least likely person can do it
他连一句"谢谢"都没说。
He didn't even say a single "thank you."
连老师都不知道答案。
Even the teacher doesn't know the answer.
If even the teacher doesn't know, nobody does
我连看都不想看那部电影。
I don't even want to watch that movie.
连 + verb + 都 + negative verb pattern
Common Mistakes
连 must come before the emphasized element, and 也/都 must come before the verb. The order is: 连 + X + 也/都 + verb.
The subject (我) should come before 连, not after it. 连 introduces the emphasized object, not the subject.
Use either 也 or 都, not both together. They serve the same function in this pattern.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
The word after 连 is always the SURPRISE — the thing the listener would not expect.
Compare with GP-65: 一本书也没看 (not even one book) vs 连这本书都没看 (hasn't even read THIS book). GP-65 emphasizes zero quantity; 连 emphasizes a specific surprising case.
In casual speech, 连 is sometimes dropped: 他名字都不知道. But including 连 makes the emphasis much stronger.
Practice by thinking of extreme examples: 连老师都不会 (even the teacher can't), 连一块钱都没有 (doesn't even have one yuan).
Homework
Write six sentences using 连……也/都. Three should be negative (连……都没/不) and three positive (连……都会/能). Make sure the item after 连 represents a surprising extreme case.