连 … 都 … ，何况 … (even …, let alone …)
IntroducedFollow the direction of a scale
- A box is too heavy even for an adult to move. A child is less able to move it.
- even连adult大人even都to move (i.e. relocate…搬motionless不动，let alone何况child孩子？ — Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- even连 … even都 … ，let alone何况 … (even …, let alone …): even连adult大人even都to move (i.e. relocate…搬motionless不动,let alone何况child孩子?; even连native person (of a country)本地人even都can / will会to lose the way迷路,let alone何况traveler游客?
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
A box is too heavy even for an adult to move. A child is less able to move it. What does 连大人都搬不动，何况孩子？ communicate?
Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child. 何况 extends an argument along a relevant scale, not always toward a harder task. In 这点事孩子都懂，何况大人, understanding by children supports understanding by adults.
Follow the speaker
even连experts专家even都not不understand懂，let alone何况us我们。
- In the opening situation: even连adult大人even都to move (i.e. relocate…搬motionless不动，let alone何况child孩子？
- Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child.
Using the pattern named in this lesson: Even experts don't get it, let alone us: 连专家都不懂，____ 我们。
连 … 都 … ，何况 … = even …, let alone …: 连专家都不懂,何况我们.
The direction of the 何况 argument depends on the relevant scale and whether the first claim is positive or negative.
Adult failure supports child failure; child understanding can support adult understanding. Do not memorise a single direction for every argument.
Check the limit of the explanation
- let alone何况 extends an argument along a relevant scale, not always toward a harder task.
- In 这点matter事child孩子even都understand懂，let alone何况adult大人, understanding by children supports understanding by adults.
The 何况 case must always be less capable than the first person.
何况 extends an argument along a relevant scale, not always toward a harder task. In 这点事孩子都懂，何况大人, understanding by children supports understanding by adults. Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form even连adult大人even都to move (i.e. relocate…搬motionless不动，let alone何况(completed / change)了child孩子 needs repair here. Write even连adult大人even都to move (i.e. relocate…搬motionless不动，let alone何况child孩子 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Rewrite the demonstrated repair exactly: 连大人都搬不动，何况了孩子
The demonstrated form is 连大人都搬不动，何况孩子. Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child.
Keep the distinction
- Failure for the stronger adult supports failure for the weaker child. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- let alone何况 extends an argument along a relevant scale, not always toward a harder task. In 这点matter事child孩子even都understand懂，let alone何况adult大人, understanding by children supports understanding by adults.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Let alone.
In 连大人都搬不动，何况孩子, why does the conclusion extend to children?
This scale goes from the more capable adult to the less capable child. Positive arguments can go the other way: children understand it, so adults do too.
A box is too heavy even for an adult to move. A child is less able to move it. 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.