更何况

HSK 6

Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Clause 1, 更何况Clause 2 (stronger reason)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

更何况 is used to emphasize a more obvious reason, meaning 'let alone', 'not to mention', 'much less'.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

Use 更何况 when you want to introduce a reason that is even more convincing or forceful than the one already stated. It is equivalent to "let alone" or "not to mention" in English.

This structure typically follows a clause that has established a fact or difficulty, after which 更何况 introduces a situation that is even more obvious or challenging, thereby reinforcing the argument. The 更 here means "even more," intensifying the degree of 何况.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

连本地人都觉得难，更何况外国人呢？
繁: 連本地人都覺得難，更何況外國人呢？Lián běndìrén dōu juéde nán, gèng hékuàng wàiguórén ne?
Even native speakers find it difficult, let alone foreigners.
我连吃饭的钱都没有，更何况买新衣服。
繁: 我連吃飯的錢都沒有，更何況買新衣服。Wǒ lián chīfàn de qián dōu méiyǒu, gèng hékuàng mǎi xīn yīfu.
I don't even have money for food, let alone buying new clothes.
这么大的雨，走路都难，更何况骑车呢？
繁: 這麼大的雨，走路都難，更何況騎車呢？Zhème dà de yǔ, zǒulù dōu nán, gèng hékuàng qíchē ne?
With such heavy rain, even walking is difficult, let alone riding a bike.
他连自己的工作都做不完，更何况帮你。
繁: 他連自己的工作都做不完，更何況幫你。Tā lián zìjǐ de gōngzuò dōu zuò bù wán, gèng hékuàng bāng nǐ.
He can't even finish his own work, let alone help you.
这个问题小孩都会，更何况大人了。
繁: 這個問題小孩都會，更何況大人了。Zhège wèntí xiǎohái dōu huì, gèng hékuàng dàren le.
Even a child knows how to solve this problem, let alone an adult.

Common mistakes

Wrong:我不想去，更何况我很累。
Correct:路那么远，我不想去，更何况我很累。
更何况 requires a preceding clause as a foundation for emphasis and cannot stand alone after a simple statement.
Wrong:这个菜很好吃，更何况很便宜。
Correct:这个菜很好吃，而且很便宜。
更何况 is used to present a stronger reason, not merely to add information like 而且 (moreover).