连…都/也…lián... dōu/yě...

Structure 连…都/也… (lián... dōu/yě...): Even... also/all...

Meaning: Even... (emphatic structure)

Pattern

连…都/也… is a major emphatic structure in HSK 4.
The speaker places an extreme example (the easiest, most basic, or smallest item) right after 连 to emphasize how surprising or noteworthy the predicate is.
The predicate must be preceded by 都 or 也, and is very frequently in the negative to mean "not even...".
This pattern can emphasize: (1) a noun/person (e.g., 连小孩子都知道 — "even a child knows"), (2) a verb phrase (e.g., 连吃饭都没时间 — "doesn't even have time to eat"), or (3) a minimal quantity ("连 + 一 + MW + N + 都/也 + 不/没...", e.g., 连一个汉字都不会写 — "can't even write a single Chinese character").

1
他连一个汉字都不会写。
Tā lián yī gè Hànzì dōu bù huì xiě.
He cannot even write a single Chinese character.
2
我忙得连饭也没吃。
Wǒ máng de lián fàn yě méi chī.
I was so busy that I didn't even eat a meal.
3
这个问题连小孩子都知道答案。
Zhège wèntí lián xiǎoháizi dōu zhīdào dá'àn.
Even little children know the answer to this question.

•The second part must include 都 or 也, and is often used in the negative ("not even...").

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Omitting 都 or 也 in the predicate clause.

•Placing 连 in the wrong position instead of directly before the emphasized element.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 4 to master all skills together.