HSK 4
用“连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯”表示强调
yòng “ lián ⋯ ⋯ yě / dōu ⋯ ⋯ ” biǎo shì qiáng diào
Using “连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯” for emphasis
Explanation
The structure 连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯ means 'even... too...', used to emphasize to an extreme degree, typically citing something seemingly easiest/most basic that still cannot be achieved, surprising the listener.
连 (lián) + [the emphasized object, usually the simplest thing] + 也 (yě) / 都 (dōu) + [verb, usually in a negative form 没/不].
连最简单的汉字都写不出来 = can't even write the easiest Chinese character.
when you want to stress 'even at this level and still... let alone anything else'; highlighting a deficiency or the severity of a degree.
the part after 也/都 almost always carries a negative or surprising nuance; 连 (lián) can be omitted but 也/都 is mandatory.
Vietnamese learners often forget 也/都 in the latter part (saying only 连...没听说过); you must have the full 连...也/都... for it to form a proper emphatic structure.
Examples
He has never even heard of this writer's name.
I can't even write the simplest Chinese character.
Practice
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Learn “用“连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯”表示强调” effectively
The grammar point “用“连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯”表示强调” (Using “连⋯⋯也/都⋯⋯” for emphasis) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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