连...更不用说... (lián) in Chinese
连…更不用说…
连...更不用说... builds an ordered scale: if a result already holds for a more basic, easier, or more expected case, it is even more obvious for the stronger case introduced by 更不用说. 连 marks the first focused case, usually with 都 or 也, and 更不用说 introduces the let-alone conclusion.
Published July 17, 2026
Reviewed July 17, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
连 + Basic Case + 都/也..., 更不用说 + Harder Case
Read the structure
连...更不用说... builds an ordered scale: if a result already holds for a more basic, easier, or more expected case, it is even more obvious for the stronger case introduced by 更不用说. 连 marks the first focused case, usually with 都 or 也, and 更不用说 introduces the let-alone conclusion. Keep the model 连 + Basic Case + 都/也..., 更不用说 + Harder Case visible while you compare each sentence.
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
He cannot understand even everyday conversation, let alone the news.
Choose the right context
From an easier case to a harder one: 他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。 From a basic item to a stronger one: 这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。 To make an obvious scale inference: 连成年人都会累，更不用说孩子了。
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
This computer cannot even open images, let alone videos.
Respect the boundary
When the two cases do not form an interpretable scale. Do not place 都 or 也 between 连 and the focused item. Do not place 更不用说 after the stronger noun as a sentence-final particle.
他连都日常对话听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
(He cannot understand everyday conversation, let alone news.)
Repair the pattern
都 is placed before the focused item in the 连 phrase: 连 must directly introduce the focused item 日常对话. Put 都 after that item and before the predicate 听不懂. 更不用说 is placed after the stronger case: 更不用说 introduces the stronger case and must come before 视频 rather than follow it.
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
He cannot understand even everyday conversation, let alone the news.
他
连
This part occupies the 连 position in the model pattern.
连
Basic Case
This part occupies the Basic Case position in the model pattern.
日常
都/也..., 更不用说
This part occupies the 都/也..., 更不用说 position in the model pattern.
对话
Harder Case
This part occupies the Harder Case position in the model pattern.
都
连
This part occupies the 连 position in the model pattern.
听不懂
Basic Case
This part occupies the Basic Case position in the model pattern.
，
都/也..., 更不用说
This part occupies the 都/也..., 更不用说 position in the model pattern.
更
Harder Case
This part occupies the Harder Case position in the model pattern.
不用
连
This part occupies the 连 position in the model pattern.
说
Basic Case
This part occupies the Basic Case position in the model pattern.
新闻
都/也..., 更不用说
This part occupies the 都/也..., 更不用说 position in the model pattern.
了
Harder Case
This part occupies the Harder Case position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
He cannot understand even everyday conversation, let alone the news.
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
This computer cannot even open images, let alone videos.
连成年人都会累，更不用说孩子了。
Even adults get tired, let alone children.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- From an easier case to a harder one: 他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
- From a basic item to a stronger one: 这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
- To make an obvious scale inference: 连成年人都会累，更不用说孩子了。
Do not use it when
- When the two cases do not form an interpretable scale.
- Do not place 都 or 也 between 连 and the focused item.
- Do not place 更不用说 after the stronger noun as a sentence-final particle.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他连都日常对话听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
都 is placed before the focused item in the 连 phrase
连 must directly introduce the focused item 日常对话. Put 都 after that item and before the predicate 听不懂.
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更视频不用说了。
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
更不用说 is placed after the stronger case
更不用说 introduces the stronger case and must come before 视频 rather than follow it.
他连都日常对话听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
Put 都 after the focused item: 连日常对话都听不懂。
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更视频不用说了。
Keep 更不用说 together before the stronger case: 更不用说视频了。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 连…更不用说….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 连…更不用说…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
连...更不用说... (lián) Questions
How should the two cases be ordered in 连...更不用说...?
The 连 clause normally names the more basic, easier, or more expected case. 更不用说 then introduces a stronger, harder, or even more obvious case.
Can 更不用说 appear without 连?
Yes. A preceding sentence can establish the first point, and 更不用说 can introduce the stronger one. The scale still needs to be clear from context.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 连…更不用说…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 连…更不用说… appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 连…更不用说…
Cross-checks the 连 + Basic Case + 都/也..., 更不用说 + Harder Case pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 9 as an internal subdivision of the official advanced band; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
尚且…何况尚且...何况: Stronger Case
Compare two a-fortiori patterns that escalate from one case.
Learn first
连…也/都…连...也/都... (lián...yě/dōu)
Master the extreme-case 连 structure before adding further escalation.
Easy to confuse
甚至于…甚至于: Even to the Extent That
Compare scalar a-fortiori escalation with an explicit extreme consequence.
Compare
递进复句Progressive Sentence Groups
Contrast scalar a-fortiori strengthening with a general progressive sentence group.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Compare scalar a-fortiori escalation with an explicit extreme consequence.