Ch 29 · Lesson 9Mandarin · Chapter 29 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
连一个人都没有: not a single one
+ + measure word + : not a single one. , didn't even look. and never stack, and adds weight.
The short version
。Zhèlǐ lián yí ge rén dōu méiyǒu.
Why?Hide
Put the smallest amount, (yī) + measure word + noun, inside the (lián) frame and deny it, and you get 'not a single one'. (lián) can drop here: (yí ge rén dōu méiyǒu) means the same.
Not a single one: 连一 (lián yī) + measure word
Put the smallest amount there is, (yī) + measure word + noun, into the frame and deny it. The result is "not a single one":
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Zhèlǐ lián yí ge rén dōu méiyǒu. | There isn't a single person here |
。 | Tā lián yí jù huà yě méi shuō. | He didn't say a single word |
。 | Wǒ lián yì fēn qián dōu méiyǒu. | I haven't got a penny |
Here (lián) is often left out, with no change: (zhèlǐ yí ge rén dōu méiyǒu). That shorter version is on 一点儿也不.
Not even doing it: 连 (lián) + verb + 都没 (dōu méi) + verb
The surprising thing can be the action itself. The verb goes in the frame, then comes back after the negative:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn. | He didn't even look |
。 | Tā lián xiǎng dōu méi xiǎng. | She didn't even think about it |
。 | Wǒ lián tīng dōu méi tīngshuō guo. | I've never even heard of it |
连 (lián), 把 (bǎ) and 甚至 (shènzhì)
Three neighbours, three rules:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Tā lián mén dōu méi guān. | He didn't even close the door |
。 | Tā fàn dōu méi chī. | He hasn't even eaten (casual) |
。 | Shènzhì lián tā dōu bù zhīdào. | Even he doesn't know |
(lián) and (bǎ) both bring the object forward, so they never stack on one noun: is wrong. In casual speech can drop when stress carries the "even", as in the second row; (dōu) never can. (shènzhì), even, is a plain adverb: it works alone, (tā shènzhì bù zhīdào), or in front of for extra weight.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
。 | 。 | (lián) needs (dōu) or (yě) |
。 | 。 | the (lián) phrase goes before the verb |
。 | 。 | (bù) after (dōu); (bù dōu) is "not all" |
。 | 。 | and (bǎ) do not stack |
。 | 。 | (lián) goes before what it stresses |
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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