何况
let alone; much less; besides
Structure
A （都／尚且） … ， （更） 何况 B （呢）
What it means
“Let alone, much less”: if A is so, then B all the more. It can also simply add one more reason: “besides”.
How it is built
A (都／连…都／尚且) …，(更) 何况 B (呢)？: 这道题连老师都不会做，何况我们呢？ (even the teacher can’t do this, let alone us).
When to use it
The 何况 clause often ends in 呢 as a rhetorical question; 更何况 is stronger. As “besides” it is like 况且 or 再说, but 况且 only adds a reason and cannot make the “let alone” comparison.
Watch out
Keep the order: the 都 case first, 何况 second. ✗ 何况我们，老师都不会。 ✓ 老师都不会，何况我们呢。
Examples
这道题连老师都不会做，何况我们呢？
Even the teacher can’t do this question, let alone us.
平时上五天班都觉得疲劳，何况是七天呢？
Five days of work are tiring enough, let alone seven.
现在去机场已经来不及了，何况外面还下着大雨。
It’s already too late to get to the airport, and besides, it’s pouring outside.
Learn this in Lesson 19 · HSK 5: 放假与调休 (Public holidays and swapped weekends)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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