何况 (hékuàng):

Think of 何况 as a logical multiplier. It connects two parts of a sentence. The first part sets the stage with a strong statement. The second part, starting with 何况, brings in an even stronger point. It usually follows a "how much more" or "how much less" logic. If a professional athlete finds a task hard, a regular person will definitely find it impossible. If a cheap car is too expensive for you, a luxury car is definitely out of the question. You are using the first part to make the second part feel like a "no-brainer." It is common to see 何况 paired with other words like 呢 (ne) at the end. This adds a bit of rhetorical flair. It is like saying, "If A is like this, then B is obviously like this, right?" It is a great way to express surprise or emphasize difficulty. Think of it as a grammar bridge connecting a small problem to a bigger one.

1. 1Using 何况 is actually quite straightforward. You just need to follow a simple two-part structure.
2. 2State your first fact or situation. This is usually the "baseline."
3. 3Add a comma to catch your breath.
4. 4Use 何况 followed by the second, more extreme situation.
5. 5(Optional) End with 呢 to make it sound like a rhetorical question.
6. 6Here is the basic blueprint: [Situation A], 何况 + [Situation B] + (呢).
7. 7For example: 大人都拿不动，何况小孩呢？ (Dàrén dōu nábùdòng, hékuàng xiǎohái ne?). Even adults can't carry it, let alone kids! Notice how the "adults" part makes the "kids" part feel very obvious. It is like a logic sandwich where 何况 is the delicious filling. You can also use it in positive contexts. "She likes water, let alone juice!"

Use 何况 when you want to be convincing. It is perfect for debates or explaining why you can't do something. Use it when there is a clear difference in scale or difficulty.

• Physical Tasks: If a big guy can't lift it, a small person definitely can't.
• Money Matters: If you can't afford a coffee, you can't afford a steak dinner.
• Skills: If a native speaker doesn't understand, a student certainly won't.
• Time: If an hour isn't enough, ten minutes definitely won't work.

It is great for ordering food too. "I can't finish one taco, let alone five!" Or when asking directions. "I don't know this street, let alone this whole city!" It helps people understand your limits or your logic instantly. It is like a grammar shortcut for being dramatic without being too extra. Just enough to make your point stick.

Do not use 何况 for simple lists. If you just want to say "I like apples and oranges," stick to 和 (hé). 何况 needs that logical "jump" from one level to another. If there is no difference in "intensity," it will sound weird. For example, don't say "I like apples, let alone pears" unless pears are somehow much more impressive to like. Also, avoid using it to connect two completely unrelated topics. "I like cats, let alone it is raining" makes no sense in any language! It is like trying to use a screwdriver to eat soup. Right tool, wrong job. Keep the two parts of your sentence in the same "family" of ideas. If you are talking about difficulty, keep both parts about difficulty. If you are talking about price, keep both parts about price. Simple, right?

One big mistake is getting the order backwards. People sometimes put the "stronger" point first. "Kids can't lift it, let alone adults." This sounds like adults are even weaker than kids! Always put the "smaller" or "easier" thing first to build the logic upward. Another mistake is forgetting the comma. Without it, the sentence runs together like a melted ice cream cone. Native speakers also occasionally forget the 呢 at the end, which is okay, but adding it makes you sound much more fluent. Don't worry, even people living in Beijing for years trip over this sometimes. It is like a grammar traffic light; if you go at the wrong time, things get messy. Just remember: Easy thing first, 何况, Harder thing second. If you follow that, you are golden.

You might have heard of 更别说 (gèng bié shuō). It also means "let alone." So, what is the difference? Think of 何况 as slightly more formal or "logical." 更别说 is very casual, like something you'd say to a buddy over bubble tea. 何况 sounds a bit more like you are making a solid argument. Another one is 而且 (érqiě), which just means "and also." 而且 adds information on the same level. 何况 adds information that is a level higher. It is the difference between "She is smart and kind" versus "She is smart, let alone a genius!" One is a flat list, the other is an escalating staircase. Use 何况 when you want to impress someone with your logic. It is like the difference between a plain t-shirt and a tailored suit.