何况(hékuàng)
Let Alone / Much Less
Structure Pattern
Explanation
何况 (hékuàng) means "let alone" or "much less / much more so." If even the easier case A is true, then the harder case B is obviously also true. It's used in a fortiori arguments — reasoning from the lesser to the greater (or vice versa).
Example Sentences
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Dàrén dōu zuò bú dào, hékuàng xiǎo háizi.
Even adults can't do it, let alone children.
Tā lián zìjǐ de shì dōu guǎn bù hǎo, hékuàng biérén de.
He can't even manage his own affairs, let alone others'.
Zhème jiǎndān de tí wǒ dōu bú huì, hékuàng nà dào nántí.
I can't even do this easy problem, much less that hard one.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我连跑一公里都觉得累，何况走一公里呢？
Correct Usage
我连走一公里都觉得累，何况跑一公里呢？
The original sentence reverses the logical progression. `何况` should introduce a more difficult or extreme case (running) after an easier one (walking), not the other way around. The correct usage follows the 'lesser to greater' logic.
Related Grammar Points
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