Using 就连 for Extra

Think of 就连 as a spotlight. You place it right before the thing that surprises you. But it does not work alone. It needs a partner. That partner is usually 都 or 也. Think of them as the "glue" that holds the sentence together. Without the glue, the sentence falls apart. You are basically saying: "Even [This Surprising Thing] [Also/All] has this quality." It is a two-part structure. You start with the shock and end with the result. It is very common in spoken Chinese. You will hear it when people complain, brag, or express disbelief. It is not just about facts; it is about your attitude toward those facts.

1. 1Using this rule is like building a sandwich. You need specific layers in a specific order. Follow these steps:
2. 2Start with 就连 at the beginning of the phrase.
3. 3Add the Surprising Subject or Object right after it.
4. 4Add the word 都 or 也 after the subject.
5. 5Finish with your Verb or Adjective.
6. 6The basic formula looks like this: 就连 + [Noun/Pronoun] + 都 + [Verb/Adj].
7. 7For example: 就连 + 他 + 都 + 不知道 (Even he doesn't know).
8. 8It is like a grammar traffic light. 就连 is the green light to start the surprise. 都 is the signal that the result is coming.

You use 就连 when you want to show an extreme case. Use it in these real-world scenarios:

• Ordering Food: You go to a restaurant. You love spicy food. But this dish is crazy hot. You say, "Even I think this is too spicy!"
• Job Interviews: You are talking about a very famous company. You say, "Even my grandma knows this company!"
• Asking Directions: You are lost in a tiny village. You ask a local, but they are lost too. You say, "Even the locals don't know the way!"
• Daily Life: Your friend is very lazy. You say, "Even on weekends, he doesn't wake up before noon."

If the situation feels normal, do not use it. Only use it when you want to sound a bit dramatic or emphasize a point. It is great for storytelling. It makes your Chinese sound more natural and expressive.

Do not use 就连 for boring, everyday lists. If you are just saying "I like apples and bananas," 就连 has no place there. It is not for neutral facts. For example, saying "Even the sun rises in the east" sounds weird. Why? Because that is not surprising!

Also, do not use it if you are not prepared to use 都 or 也. They are a package deal. If you forget the second part, the sentence sounds unfinished. It is like telling a joke and forgetting the punchline. People will be waiting for the rest of the thought. Finally, avoid using it too much. If everything is "even," then nothing is special. Save it for the truly shocking moments.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The most common mistake is forgetting 都 or 也.

✗ 就连他不知道。 (Wrong)

✓ 就连他都不知道。 (Correct)

Another mistake is putting 就连 in the wrong spot. It should go before the thing you are emphasizing.

✗ 他就连都不知。 (Wrong)

Sometimes people use 和 instead of 都. Remember, 就连 is not about adding things together like a grocery list. It is about singling one thing out.

Also, watch out for the negative. If you want to say "not even," you still need that 都 or 也 before the 不 or 没.

You might have seen just 连...都... before. What is the difference?

Actually, they are almost the same! 就连 is just a bit more emphatic. Adding the 就 makes it stronger. It is like the difference between saying "Even he knows" and "Even he knows!"

There is also 甚至 (shènzhì), which means "even to the point of." 甚至 is usually used to connect two whole ideas or actions. 就连 is better for highlighting a specific noun or person.

Think of 连 as the standard version and 就连 as the "Pro Max" version. Use 就连 when you really want to make sure the other person understands how surprised you are.