The structures with 别说
Let’s look at the 别说A, 连B也… and 别说A, 即使B也… structures.
The 别说A, 连B也… structure
The 别说A，连B也… 
structure has the meaning "let alone "A", because even "B"...".
This structure indicates that someone definitely doesn’t meet the standard of “A”. This is evident by the fact that it can’t even meet the standard of “B”, which is supposedly lower than the standard of “A”.
structure has the meaning "let alone "A", because even "B"...".
This structure indicates that someone definitely doesn’t meet the standard of “A”. This is evident by the fact that it can’t even meet the standard of “B”, which is supposedly lower than the standard of “A”. Pay attention
也 can be replaced with 都 .
.Scheme
别说
A
(subject)
连
B
也/都
predicate
Examples
别说做菜了，他连怎么煮方便面都不知道
He can’t even boil noodles, let alone cook a full meal
bié shuō zuòcài le, tā lián zěnme zhǔ fāngbiànmiàn dōu bù zhīdào
别说是大学生了，连小学生都比他写得好
He can’t even write as well as elementary school students, let alone high school students
bié shuō shì dàxuéshēng le, lián xiǎoxuéshēng dōu bǐ tā xiě de hǎo
The parts of the structure can be switched, but the meaning will be the opposite: “if the standards of “A” can’t be met, then the standards of "B" definitely cannot be met.
Pay attention
In this case, "B" is superior to "A".
Scheme
连
A
也/都
predicate
别说
B
Examples
这事连我妈都不知道，别说我了！
Not even my mom knows about it, let alone me!
zhè shì lián wǒ mā dōu bù zhīdào, bié shuō wǒ le
我现在穷得连饭也吃不起了，别说买新衣服了
I’m so poor, I can’t even afford food, let alone buy new clothes
wǒ xiànzài qióng de lián fàn yě chībuqǐ le, bié shuō mǎi xīn yīfu le
The 别说A, 即使B也… structure
别说A，即使B也… has the meaning "let alone..., even...".
A verb or an adjective used as a predicate is placed after 也.
has the meaning "let alone..., even...".
A verb or an adjective used as a predicate is placed after 也.Scheme
别说
A
即使
B
也
predicate
Examples
南极洲太冷了，别说冬天，即使夏天也非常冷
In Antarctica, it is very cold even in summer, let alone the winter
nánjízhōu tài lěng le, bié shuō dōngtiān, jíshǐ xiàtiān yě fēicháng lěng
别说爸爸，即使是老师，也说不出这种植物的名字
Even the teacher can’t say the name of this plant, let alone her father
bié shuō bàba, jíshǐ shì lǎoshī, yě shuōbuchū zhè zhòng zhíwù de míngzì
The parts of the structure can be switched: 即使…也…，别说… . The meaning will stay the same.
Scheme
即使
A
也
predicate
别说
B
Examples
即使是稍微有钱的家庭，也禁不住她这么花钱，别说普通家庭了
Even an upper-class family can’t stand wasting money, let alone a middle-class family
jíshǐ shì shāowéi yǒuqián de jiātíng, yě jīnbuzhù tā zhème huā qián, bié shuō pǔtōng jiātíng le
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