何况 (hékuàng) — let alone; much less; not to mention

何况 (hékuàng)

何况 is a conjunction used to introduce a stronger or more extreme case after establishing a baseline, equivalent to "let alone," "not to mention," or "much less," implying that if one thing is true, an even more obvious case follows.

Meanings

1. [conjunction] let alone; much less; not to mention (introduces a stronger case based on a weaker one already stated)
2. [conjunction] all the more so; especially; moreover (introduces a reinforcing point)

Example Sentences

连专家都搞不清楚，何况普通人呢？ Lián zhuānjiā dōu gǎo bù qīngchǔ, hékuàng pǔtōngrén ne? Even experts can't figure it out, let alone ordinary people.

这道题连大学生都觉得难，何况小学生。 Zhè dào tí lián dàxuéshēng dōu juéde nán, hékuàng xiǎoxuéshēng. Even college students find this problem difficult, much less elementary school students.

他连母语都表达不清楚，何况外语。 Tā lián mǔyǔ dōu biǎodá bù qīngchǔ, hékuàng wàiyǔ. He can't even express himself clearly in his mother tongue, let alone a foreign language.

一个人生活在城市里尚且不容易，何况还要养活一家人。 Yī gè rén shēnghuó zài chéngshì lǐ shàngqiě bù róngyì, hékuàng hái yào yǎnghuó yī jiā rén. It is already not easy to live alone in a city, let alone support a whole family.

一百公里的马拉松对职业运动员来说都是挑战，何况是普通跑者。 Yī bǎi gōnglǐ de mǎlāsōng duì zhíyè yùndòngyuán lái shuō dōu shì tiǎozhàn, hékuàng shì pǔtōng pǎozhě. A 100-kilometer marathon is a challenge even for professional athletes, let alone ordinary runners.

这件事在国内都引起了轩然大波，何况是在国际社会。 Zhè jiàn shì zài guónèi dōu yǐnqǐle xuānrán dàbō, hékuàng shì zài guójì shèhuì. This matter has already caused a huge stir domestically, not to mention in the international community.

Collocations

Usage Notes

何况 is used in a rhetorical structure where a less extreme case is first established (often using 连...都 or 尚且), and then 何况 introduces the more extreme case to make a logical point: if A is true, then B (which is more extreme) is obviously also true.

何况 can also be used to introduce an additional reason supporting an argument, in which case it functions more like "what's more" or "furthermore." This positive rhetorical use often follows 而且 or stands alone at the beginning of a clause to reinforce a conclusion. At B2 level, mastering both uses greatly enhances argumentative writing.

Memory Hook

何 means "what/how" and 况 means "condition/situation" — 何况 literally asks "what about this (more extreme) situation?" — i.e., "let alone this case."