HSK 7-9
连……都……，更不用说……了
lián...dōu..., gèng bùyòng shuō...le
Even...let alone...
Structure
连 + [Simple/Small Case] + 都 + [Predicate], 更不用说 + [Complex/Large Case] + 了
How it works
This structure is used to create a strong contrast by emphasizing that if a simple or likely case is true, then a more complex or difficult case must certainly be true. The '连...都' part establishes the baseline or the 'easier' extreme, while '更不用说' introduces the 'harder' extreme that is implied as an obvious consequence.
Examples
他连最基础的关键概念都还没弄清楚，更不用说去解决这么复杂的科研难题了。
Tā lián zuì jīchǔ de guānjiàn gàiniàn dōu hái méi nòng qīngchǔ, gèng bùyòng shuō qù jiějué zhème fùzá de kēyán nántí le.
He hasn't even clarified the most basic key concepts, let alone solving such a complex scientific research problem.
这种极端天气连当地人都难以忍受，更不用说那些刚从南方过来的游客了。
Zhè zhǒng jíduān tiānqì lián dāngdì rén dōu nányǐ rěnshòu, gèng bùyòng shuō nàxiē gāng cóng nánfāng guòlái de yóukè le.
Even the locals find this extreme weather unbearable, let alone those tourists who just arrived from the south.
在那个动荡的年代，连填饱肚子都成了奢望，更不用说接受系统的教育了。
Zài nàge dòngdàng de niándài, lián tián bǎo dùzi dōu chéngle shēwàng, gèng bùyòng shuō jiēshòu xìtǒng de jiàoyù le.
In those turbulent times, even filling one's stomach was a luxury, let alone receiving a systematic education.
Common mistakes
Users often reverse the order, putting the more difficult/unlikely thing in the '连' clause. The '连' clause must always contain the thing that is 'more likely' or 'simpler' to achieve.
Tip
Think of this as a '1 to 10' scale. The '连' part covers level 1; if even level 1 is impossible, then level 10 (the '更不用说' part) is obviously out of the question.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 连……都……，更不用说……了 in real Chinese
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