even; still; let alone; much less
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesconjunction
even; still; (not) even..., let alone...; much less
Used to introduce a more extreme or serious case to set up a contrast, often followed by 何况 (hé kuàng) or 更 (gèng) to indicate that an even lesser case is certainly true, possible, or necessary. Typically used in formal or written contexts.
Wèi为
le了
rén人
mín民
de的
shì事
yè业
，
liú流
xuè血
shàng尚
qiě且
bù不
xī惜
，
hé何
kuàng况
liú流
zhè这
diǎn点
r儿
hàn汗
ne呢
！
For the cause of the people, they don't even spare shedding blood, let alone a little sweat!
Dà大
rén人
shàng尚
qiě且
bān搬
bù不
dòng动
，
hé何
kuàng况
shì是
gè个
hái孩
zi子
。
Even an adult can't move it, let alone a child.
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Tā他
zì自
jǐ己
shàng尚
qiě且
bù不
chéng承
rèn认
cuò错
wù误
，
hé何
kuàng况
xiàng向
bié别
rén人
dào道
qiàn歉
ne呢
？
He himself won't even admit his mistake, let alone apologize to others.
Tiān天
qì气
shàng尚
qiě且
rú如
cǐ此
hán寒
lěng冷
，
gèng更
hé何
kuàng况
shì是
zài在
gāo高
shān山
shàng上
。
The weather is already this cold, let alone up in the high mountains.