连一 + 量 + 都/也 + 不/没…
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Emphasizes absolute negation, meaning 'not even a single...'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure is used to emphasize an absolute negation. 连 (lián) introduces the smallest, most insignificant object, followed by 一 + a measure word. The second clause uses the adverb 都 or 也 paired with the negation 不 or 没.
It expresses the meaning "not even a single...". Use 没 when negating a past action or possession. Use 不 when negating a habit, intention, or future action.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他忙得连一顿饭都没吃。繁: 他忙得連一頓飯都沒吃。Tā máng de lián yí dùn fàn dōu méi chī.
He was so busy that he didn't even have time to eat a single meal.
- 我连一个汉字也不认识。繁: 我連一個漢字也不認識。Wǒ lián yí ge hànzì yě bù rènshi.
I don't recognize even a single Chinese character.
- 他连一句话也没说就走了。繁: 他連一句話也沒說就走了。Tā lián yí jù huà yě méi shuō jiù zǒu le.
He left without saying a single word.
- 他太穷了，连一件新衣服都买不起。繁: 他太窮了，連一件新衣服都買不起。Tā tài qióng le, lián yí jiàn xīn yīfu dōu mǎi bu qǐ.
He is too poor to afford even a single new piece of clothing.
- 她今年连一本书都没读完。繁: 她今年連一本書都沒讀完。Tā jīnnián lián yì běn shū dōu méi dú wán.
She hasn't finished reading even a single book this year.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他连一句话没说。Correct:他连一句话也没说。
In the 连... structure, the adverbs 都 or 也 are required to complete the emphatic meaning and cannot be omitted.
- Wrong:我昨天连一页书也不看。Correct:我昨天连一页书也没看。
When negating an action in the past (昨天), use 没 instead of 不.