HSK 7-9
……尚且……，（更）何况……
...shàngqiě..., (gèng) hékuàng...
Even...let alone...; much less...
Structure
A (Extreme/Lesser Case) + 尚且 + (Predicate), (更为/更) + 何况 + B (Obvious/Greater Case)
How it works
This correlative structure is used to emphasize a conclusion by comparing two situations. The first clause uses '尚且' to introduce a basic or extreme scenario that is already true or surprising, while the second clause uses '何况' to introduce a much more obvious or intense situation that follows logically.
Examples
这么简单的道理，成年人尚且不一定明白，何况是几岁的孩子呢？
Zhème jiǎndān de dàolǐ, chéngniánrén shàngqiě bù yīdìng míngbai, hékuàng shì jǐ suì de háizi ne?
Even adults don't necessarily understand such a simple truth, let alone a child of a few years old.
在和平年代维持秩序尚且不易，更何况是在战火纷飞的时期？
Zài hépíng niándài wéichí zhìxù shàngqiě bùyì, gèng hékuàng shì zài zhànhuǒ fēnfēi de shíqī?
Maintaining order in times of peace is difficult enough, let alone during a period of war.
为了追求真理，他连生命尚且可以牺牲，何况是这些身外之物？
Wèile zhuīqiú zhēnlǐ, tā lián shēngmìng shàngqiě kěyǐ xīshēng, hékuàng shì zhèxiē shēnwàizhīwù?
For the pursuit of truth, he is willing to sacrifice even his life, let alone these worldly possessions.
Common mistakes
Mixing up the order of the two clauses; the '尚且' clause must always present the 'smaller' or 'less obvious' condition compared to the '何况' clause.
Tip
Think of this as a 'progressive emphasis' structure. If the 'lesser' thing is true, the 'greater' thing must be even more true. The second part often ends with a rhetorical question '呢' or '？'.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See ……尚且……，（更）何况…… in real Chinese
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