Emphasizing with "连...也/都..."

In Chinese, the structure "连...也/都..." is used to emphasize an extreme or unexpected situation, often highlighting that something is more surprising or significant than one might expect. The word "连" (lián) translates to "even" in English, and it serves to intensify the statement that follows.

For example:

• 他连这个作家的名字也没听说过。 (Tā lián zhège zuòjiā de míngzì yě méi tīngshuō guò.)
  

Translation: "He hasn't even heard of this writer's name."
Here, the use of "连" emphasizes that the person is so unfamiliar with the writer that they haven't even heard of their name, which is considered surprising.

• 我连最简单的汉字都写不出来。 (Wǒ lián zuì jiǎndān de Hànzì dōu xiě bù chūlái.)
  Translation: "I can't even write the simplest Chinese characters."
  In this case, "连" emphasizes the speaker's inability to write even the most basic characters, highlighting a sense of frustration or inadequacy.

This structure can be used in various contexts to stress the extent of a situation, making it a powerful tool for expressing emphasis in conversation or writing.