Chinese grammar语法: Expressing even with 连lian and 都dou

"连... 都/也..." (lián... dōu/yě...) is a pattern that can be used to emphasize certain unexpected or surprising events or information. It is used the same way even is in English in Chinese grammar.

Basic Structure

连+noun+也/都+Adjective/verb

Examples 

Tā tài qiónɡ le, lián chī fàn de qián dōu méi yǒu.
他 太 穷 了，连 吃饭 的 钱 都 没有。

He's so poor. He doesn't even have enough money to eat.

Structure with "buru" 
连+noun+也/都不如

The important thing to remember is that the noun is being emphasized rather than the action.

Examples 

Nǐ zhēn shì lǎo hú tu le, lián xiǎo hái zi dōu bù rú.
你 真 是 老糊涂 了，连 小孩子 都不如。

You are truly senile. Even the kids are smarter than you.