‘何况’ is a conjunction meaning ‘let alone’ or ‘much less’, used to introduce a stronger or more obvious case after a weaker or already-accepted one. It emphasizes that if the first statement is true or valid, then the second — being even more evident, extreme, or self-evident — must also be true. Literally, 何 (hé) means ‘what’ or ‘why’, and 况 (kuàng) means ‘moreover’ or ‘furthermore’; together they form an idiomatic expression signaling logical escalation.

This word commonly appears in spoken and written Chinese to strengthen arguments, express rhetorical emphasis, or highlight contrast in degree or probability. It typically follows a clause expressing a relatively mild, accepted, or conceded fact, and introduces a second clause that is even more compelling — often involving greater difficulty, higher cost, stronger emotion, or clearer logic. It’s frequently used in persuasion, explanation, or justification, especially when appealing to common sense or shared assumptions.