连 … 都 … 不 / 没 (not even)
IntroducedA missing basic action is striking
- Someone is so occupied that they are not eating even meals.
- he他even连food饭even都not不eat吃。 — even连 makes the absence of eating a striking case.
Someone is so occupied that they are not eating even meals. What does 他连饭都不吃。 communicate?
连 makes the absence of eating a striking case. The expectation comes from context. The sentence does not necessarily assert an absolute absence of every other activity.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is even连 … even都 … not不 / not / haven't没 (not even). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他even连food饭even都not不eat吃。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: He doesn't even eat: 他 ____ 饭都不吃。
连 + X + 都 + 不 … = not even X: 连饭都不吃.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, he他even连food饭even都not不eat吃。: even连 makes the absence of eating a striking case.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 连…都… highlight?
The more basic the X, the more striking the claim.
Know the boundary
- The expectation comes from context.
- The sentence does not necessarily assert an absolute absence of every other activity.
连 pairs with 都 / 也 in this pattern.
Yes — 连…都…, 连…也….
In the opening situation: 连 makes the absence of eating a striking case.
The expectation comes from context. The sentence does not necessarily assert an absolute absence of every other activity. 连 makes the absence of eating a striking case.
Use the distinction
- even连 makes the absence of eating a striking case.
- The expectation comes from context. The sentence does not necessarily assert an absolute absence of every other activity.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Sentence patterns.
Someone is so occupied that they are not eating even meals. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.