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HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min read

一...也不 and 一点儿也不 for “Not Even One”

Say “not a single one” and “not at all” with 一...也/都 + 不/没.

Pattern

一 + measure (+ noun) + 也/都 + 不/没 + verb; 一点儿也不 + adjective

Put “one” before 也/都 and a negative to say “not even one” or “not at all.”

教室里一个人也没有。

When to use 一...也不 and 一点儿也不 for “Not Even One”

Start with 一 + a measure word (and often a noun), then add 也 or 都, then 不 or 没. The idea is “not even one”: the smallest amount is zero, so the whole amount is zero.

这个月我一本书都没看。

I haven’t read a single book this month.

我一个汉字也不会写。

I can’t write even one Chinese character.

他早上一口饭都没吃。

He didn’t eat a single bite this morning.

这件衣服一点儿也不贵。

This piece of clothing isn’t expensive at all.

Common traps

  • Don’t leave out 也 or 都: say 一个人也没有, not 一个人没有.
  • Use 没 for past events and 没有; 不 for habits, wishes and ability.
  • Don’t say 有点儿也不; the “not at all” form is 一点儿也不.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

今天走了很多路，可是我 也不累

I walked a lot today, but I’m not tired at all
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