Let aloneHSK 5
Expressing "let alone" with 别说
Use 别说 to emphasize that if a more extreme condition B is true (or not true), then a less extreme condition A is a given. The structure pairs 别说 with 连 or 就是 and ends with 也 or 都. The clause after 连/就是 is the extreme, not the one after 别说 — in English the order is often flipped, so pay attention to the logic.
Structure
别说 + A + (了) ， 连 + B + 也 / 都 + Verb Phrase
A is the lesser case, B the extreme; 也/都 are interchangeable.
别说 + A + (了) ， 就是 + B + 也 / 都 + Verb Phrase
就是 adds emphasis 'even' to B; same overall pattern.
Examples
- 别说一百，就是一块钱我也不给你。Bié shuō yībǎi, jiùshì yīkuài qián wǒ yě bù gěi nǐ.Don't think about one hundred, I won't even give you one kuai.
- 别说白酒，连啤酒的味道我都受不了。Bié shuō báijiǔ, lián píjiǔ de wèidào wǒ dōu shòubuliǎo.Don't even mention baijiu; I can't even stand the taste of beer.
- 这么难的问题，别说你，就是老师也不知道答案。Zhème nán de wèntí, bié shuō nǐ, jiùshì lǎoshī yě bù zhīdào dá'àn.Such a hard question! Even the teacher doesn't know the answer, let alone you.
- 别说做菜了，他连怎么煮方便面都不知道。Bié shuō zuò cài le, tā lián zěnme zhǔ fāngbiànmiàn dōu bù zhīdào.Don't even think about cooking. He doesn't even know how to boil instant noodles.
- 别说是我，连你妈妈也不会原谅你。Bié shuō shì wǒ, lián nǐ māma yě bù huì yuánliàng nǐ.Even your own mother won't forgive you, let alone me.