not to mention; let alone
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesconjunction
not to mention; let alone
formalUsed to introduce a stronger or more extreme example to emphasize a point. The first clause is often presented as an undeniable or established fact, and the second clause (introduced by '慢说') is something even more unlikely or impressive. Often paired with '就是', '即使', or '连...都...' structures.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
dòng动
wù物
，
màn慢
shuō说
guó国
nèi内
shǎo少
yǒu有
，
quán全
shì世
jiè界
yě也
bù不
duō多
。
This kind of animal, not to mention being rare in the country, is uncommon even in the whole world.
Tā他
lián连
zì自
xíng行
chē车
dōu都
bù不
huì会
qí骑
，
màn慢
shuō说
kāi开
chē车
le了
。
He can't even ride a bicycle, let alone drive a car.
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Zhè这
dào道
tí题
bó博
shì士
shēng生
dōu都
nán难
yǐ以
jiě解
dá答
，
màn慢
shuō说
yī一
gè个
zhōng中
xué学
shēng生
le了
。
This problem is difficult even for a PhD student to solve, not to mention a middle school student.
Màn慢
shuō说
shí十
gōng公
lǐ里
，
jiù就
shì是
wǔ五
gōng公
lǐ里
tā他
xiàn现
zài在
yě也
pǎo跑
bù不
xià下
lái来
。
Let alone ten kilometers, he can't even run five kilometers now.