1. Home
  2. Grammar Points
  3. Expressing "not even one"

Expressing "not even one"

一 Noun

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

一 + Measure Word + Noun + [也 / 都] + [不 / 没] + Verb Topic + Subj. + 一 + Measure Word + Noun + [也 / 都] + Verb

Definition

表示强调数量最少的情况也没有，通常使用“连一...都/也...不”或“一个+名词+都没有”的结构。

Used to emphasize that even the smallest quantity does not exist, often using the structure '连一...都/也...不' or '一个+noun+都没有'.

Usage

用在否定句中，强调完全没有任何一个。通常结构为“连+数量词（一）+名词+都/也+否定词”，或者“一个+名词+都/也没有”。

Used in negative sentences to emphasize that there is not even one. Common structures: '连+numeral (一)+noun+都/也+negative word', or '一个+noun+都/也没有'.

Examples

  • 1 我连一个苹果都没有。 (I don't have even one apple.)
  • 2 他连一句话都不说。 (He doesn't say even one word.)
  • 3 她连一次都没来过。 (She hasn't come even once.)
  • 4 教室里连一个人也没有。 (There isn't even a single person in the classroom.)
  • 5 他连一分钱都不愿意花。 (He is not willing to spend even one cent.)

Put it into practice

Exam-style HSK drills with instant scoring and explanations.

Find my HSK level

Free · about 3 minutes · no account needed