連...都...

Even...

Level 3

The 連...都... (lin4... dou1...) pattern is a "frame" used to highlight an extreme example. It implies that if something is true for this extreme case, it is certainly true for others. It is most commonly used in negative sentences to emphasize a total lack of something.

How It Works

The 連...都... pattern is essential for expressing surprise or emphasis in spoken Cantonese.

1. Basic Structure
The most common structure is: 連 + [Focused Noun] + 都 + [Verb/Adjective].
Example: 連佢都唔知 (lin4 keoi5 dou1 m4 zi1) — "Even he doesn't know."

2. Object Preposing
If you want to emphasize the object of a sentence, you must move it to the front, between 連 and 都.
Structure: [Subject] + 連 + [Object] + 都 + [Verb].
Example: 我連飯都冇食 (ngo5 lin4 faan6 dou1 mou5 sik6) — "I haven't even eaten (rice/food)."

3. Emphasizing Actions (Verb Repetition)
When the focus is on the action itself, the verb is usually repeated.
Structure: 連 + [Verb] + 都 + [Verb].
Example: 佢連睇都唔睇我 (keoi5 lin4 tai2 dou1 m4 tai2 ngo5) — "He didn't even look at me."

4. The "Not Even One" Pattern
To emphasize a total absence, use 一 + Classifier + 都 + 冇.
Example: 我連一蚊都冇 (ngo5 lin4 jat1 man1 dou1 mou5) — "I don't even have one dollar."

Examples (4)

  1. 連佢都唔識做，我就更加唔識啦。

    Even he doesn't know how to do it; I definitely don't know then.

    Word by Word: Even he also not know do, I then even-more not know [particle].

    Here, the subject 'he' is the focus. The implication is that if a capable person like 'he' can't do it, the speaker certainly can't.

  2. 我今日忙到連水都冇時間飲。

    I'm so busy today I don't even have time to drink water.

    Word by Word: I today busy until even water also not-have time drink.

    The object 'water' is preposed. This uses 到 (dou3) to show the extent of being busy.

  3. 佢份人好衰，連睇都唔睇我一眼。

    He is a jerk; he didn't even give me a look.

    Word by Word: He [classifier] person very bad, even look also not look me one eye.

    This demonstrates verb repetition (睇...睇) to emphasize the action of looking.

  4. 呢間房連窗都冇，好焗呀。

    This room doesn't even have a window; it's very stuffy.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] room even window also not-have, very stuffy [particle].

    Focuses on the 'window' to emphasize how poorly equipped the room is.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the word 都 (dou1).

    連佢唔知。
    連佢都唔知。

    In Cantonese, 都 (dou1) is the functional anchor of this pattern. While 連 (lin4) is sometimes dropped in very fast speech, 都 is mandatory to maintain the 'even' meaning.

  • Placing the object after the verb.

    我連唔食飯。
    我連飯都唔食。

    When using this pattern to emphasize an object, the object must be moved before the verb, specifically between 連 and 都.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

連...都...Level 3Even...

Learn This First

To understand '連...都...', you first need to be comfortable with the particle '都' (also/all), as this pattern extends its function to emphasize an extreme or surprising case. You should also be familiar with basic sentence structures involving pronouns and negation, as these form the most common context for this expression.

Words in This Pattern

连