HSK 3
一……也/都+不/没⋯⋯
yī … … yě / dōu + bù / méi ⋯ ⋯
一……也/都 + 不/没……
Explanation
This is a fixed structure used for ABSOLUTE negation, meaning "not the slightest bit / not even a single... either".
一 (yī = one) + measure word (a word indicating a counting unit, such as 句 sentence, 口 mouthful, 个 piece, 次 time) + (noun) + 也 (yě) / 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + verb. The 一 + measure word part creates "the smallest amount", then 也/都 combines with 不/没 to negate strongly.
when you want to emphasize "completely not, not even the smallest one" (一句也不会说 = can't even say a single sentence).
use 不 to negate the present/a habit/an ability (不会说, 不认识); use 没 to negate something that happened in the past (没喝, 没去过). 也 and 都 are interchangeable here.
Omitting 也/都 (the sentence loses its emphasis); confusing 不 and 没 (remember: 没 for something already done/past, 不 for ability, habit, or the future).
Examples
He can't say even a single sentence of Chinese.
I didn't drink even a mouthful of water all morning, and now I'm terribly thirsty.
He doesn't recognize even a single Chinese character.
I've never been to this park even once.
Practice
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Learn “一……也/都+不/没⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “一……也/都+不/没⋯⋯” (一……也/都 + 不/没……) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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