How to use 别说
别说 + stronger case，就是 / 连 + lesser case + 也 / 都 + predicate
别说 can introduce a case that the speaker sets aside before presenting an even more basic or revealing one. In this pattern, the second case establishes that the conclusion holds even under easier, smaller, or more obvious circumstances. The listener can then infer that the first case is beyond consideration. English may use let alone, never mind, or don't even mention.
The following clause often uses 就是 or 连 with 也 or 都 to mark the decisive comparison. Check the ordering carefully: the stronger case typically appears first with 别说, while the second supplies the even-case evidence. This differs from English let alone sentences that often put the simpler failed case first.
Examples with pinyin and English
别说一百， 就是一块钱我也不给你。
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。
Don't even mention baijiu; I can't even stand the taste of beer.
别说英语， 你说中文我也不知道怎么回答。
Forget about English! Even if you speak Chinese, I don't know how to answer.
这么难的问题， 别说你， 就是老师也不知道答案。
Such a hard question! Even the teacher doesn't know the answer, let alone you.
What to remember
- Put the case being set aside after 别说.
- Use the second clause as decisive even-case evidence.
- Check the scale before translating the order literally.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.