0

I've quoted the following sentences from here.

这个 问题 太 简单 了 ,连 三岁 小孩 都 知道 。

This question is so easy that even a three-year-old kid knows the answer.

For me, I think that removing 都 from this sentence still make sense.

What exactly this 都 is meaning here?

I used the dictionary and got the meanings as all, both, entirely .

So I think that adopting entirely is the best but I can't have a confidence.

2 Answers 2

1

[ ~ ] is a set structure. It means [even ~ (too)]

If you omit 都 and write "连 三岁 小孩 知道" The sentence would make no sense. It is like omitting "en" in "even" and writing "ev three years old children know"

  • 连(even) 都(too)

  • XX = even XX too --> even XX

"too" can be omitted in English but "都" cannot be omitted in Chinese

0

has the meanings of "even(甚至于)" and "include(包括)".

, here, is an auxiliary word that means "all(统统,全)", which is required to connect the phrase "三岁小孩" and "知道" and put an emphasis tone on the complete phrase.

  • 这个问题太简单了,**连(even)三岁小孩都(all)**知道。Note that the sentence remains valid after dropping the word "连":

  • 这个问题太简单了,三岁小孩 都/统统/全 知道。

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.