Expressing complete negation: “一 …… 也/都 + 不/没 ……”

In Chinese, the structure “一 + Measure Word / 一点儿 + 也/都 + 不/没” is used to emphasize complete negation, meaning “not even one...”, “not at all...”, or “not a single bit...”.

1. With Countable Nouns (“Not even a single...”)

Used when referring to items that can be individually counted.

一 + Measure Word + Noun + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb

我(Wǒ)一(yí)个(gè)苹(píng)果(guǒ)也(yě)不(bù)想(xiǎng)吃(chī)。

I don't want to eat even a single apple.

昨(Zuó)天(tiān)他(tā)一(yí)件(jiàn)衣(yī)服(fu)都(dōu)没(méi)买(mǎi)。

He didn't buy a single piece of clothing yesterday.

小(Xiǎo)丽(lì)一(yì)杯(bēi)茶(chá)也(yě)没(méi)喝(hē)。

Xiaoli didn't drink even a single cup of tea.

手(Shǒu)机(jī)、电(diàn)脑(nǎo)、地(dì)图(tú)，一(yí)个(gè)也(yě)不(bù)能(néng)少(shǎo)。

Phone, computer, map — we can't leave a single one behind.

2. With Uncountable Nouns (“Not at all / Not any...”)

For uncountable or abstract nouns, replace 一 + Measure Word with 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr — “a little bit”).

一点儿 + Noun + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb

我(Wǒ)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)东(dōng)西(xi)也(yě)不(bù)想(xiǎng)吃(chī)。

I don't want to eat anything at all.

这(Zhè)个(ge)星(xīng)期(qī)我(wǒ)很(hěn)忙(máng)，一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)时(shí)间(jiān)也(yě)没(méi)有(yǒu)。

I'm very busy this week; I don't have any time at all.

今(Jīn)天(tiān)早(zǎo)上(shang)我(wǒ)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)咖(kā)啡(fēi)都(dōu)没(méi)喝(hē)。

I didn't drink any coffee at all this morning.

我(Wǒ)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)钱(qián)都(dōu)没(méi)带(dài)，所(suǒ)以(yǐ)不(bù)能(néng)买(mǎi)衣(yī)服(fu)。

I didn't bring any money at all, so I can't buy clothes.

3. With Adjectives (“Not at all [adjective]”)

When negating a state, quality, or adjective, always use 一点儿 together with 不.

一点儿 + 也 / 都 + 不 + Adjective

他(Tā)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)也(yě)不(bù)累(lèi)。

He is not tired at all.

南(Nán)方(fāng)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)都(dōu)不(bù)冷(lěng)。

The south is not cold at all.

那(Nà)个(ge)地(dì)方(fang)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)也(yě)不(bù)远(yuǎn)。

That place is not far at all.

你(Nǐ)怎(zěn)么(me)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)也(yě)不(bù)着(zháo)急(jí)？

Why aren't you worried/anxious at all?