连…都: even

连 A 都 B means “even A (doesn't) B”. After 连 comes the most surprising case: 连孩子都知道, “even a child knows”, so everyone does. 都 (or 也) is required, right before the verb.

Examples

• 这个问题连孩子都知道。 Zhège wèntí lián háizi dōu zhīdào. Even a child knows this one.
• 他忙得连饭都没吃。 Tā máng de lián fàn dōu méi chī. He was so busy he didn't even eat.
• 他连自己的名字都不会写。 Tā lián zìjǐ de míngzi dōu bú huì xiě. He can't even write his own name.

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