连 … 都 / 也 (even)
IntroducedA child understands the explanation
- A speaker says a child understands a simple explanation.
- even连child小孩even都understand懂。 — The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
A speaker says a child understands a simple explanation. What does 连小孩都懂。 communicate?
The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand. The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too. This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is even连 … even都 / also也 (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.
even连child小孩even都understand懂。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Even a child understands: ____ 小孩都懂。
连 + X + 都 … = even X: 连小孩都懂.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, even连child小孩even都understand懂。: The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
连小孩都懂 implies…
This is a rhetorical expectation. It does not prove the actual understanding of every other person.
Know the boundary
- The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too.
- This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.
连 pairs with 都 / 也.
Yes — 连…都…, 连…也….
In the opening situation: The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too. This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding. The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
Use the distinction
- The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
- The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too. This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Basic sentence patterns.
A speaker says a child understands a simple explanation. 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.