尚且…何况…
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 'đến...còn..., huống chi là...' is used for comparison, emphasizing something obvious based on a progressive (a fortiori) argument.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is a rather formal expression used for comparative argumentation. The meaning is: even something difficult/obvious (clause 1) is already the case, so let alone something easier/more obvious (clause 2) — which goes without saying.
尚且 can be translated as 'even' or 'as much as'. 何况 means 'let alone', 'not to mention'. This structure is more commonly found in written language or formal speeches than in everyday conversation.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 大人尚且做不到，何况孩子呢？繁: 大人尚且做不到，何況孩子呢？Dàren shàngqiě zuò bu dào, hékuàng háizi ne?
Even adults cannot do it, much less children.
- 这个问题老师尚且不懂，何况我呢？繁: 這個問題老師尚且不懂，何況我呢？Zhè ge wèntí lǎoshī shàngqiě bù dǒng, hékuàng wǒ ne?
Even the teacher doesn't understand this problem, let alone me.
- 旧的尚且这么贵，何况新的呢？繁: 舊的尚且這麼貴，何況新的呢？Jiù de shàngqiě zhème guì, hékuàng xīn de ne?
The old one is this expensive already, let alone the new one?
- 走路尚且很累，何况是跑步呢？繁: 走路尚且很累，何況是跑步呢？Zǒulù shàngqiě hěn lèi, hékuàng shì pǎobù ne?
Walking is already quite tiring, let alone running.
- 他对自己尚且如此，何况对别人？繁: 他對自己尚且如此，何況對別人？Tā duì zìjǐ shàngqiě rúcǐ, hékuàng duì biérén?
He treats himself this way, much less how he treats others.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:孩子尚且做不到，何况大人呢？Correct:大人尚且做不到，何况孩子呢？
The logic of this structure moves from difficulty to ease: if adults cannot do it (hard), then children certainly cannot do it (easier to understand).
- Wrong:我尚且不喜欢他，何况我的朋友。Correct:连我都不喜欢他，更别说我朋友了。
In everyday spoken language, using `连...都/也...` or `更别说` is more natural than `尚且...何况...`, which is formal in tone.