Basic English Words: Even, Only, Many, Really, Work

What does “not even” mean in English?

People use not even to make a point stronger. It says: this is so small or so early that it surprises me. For example: “It’s not even six o’clock, and you want to sleep?” Here it shows the time is very early. You put not even before the word you want to push on. It is a small phrase, but native speakers use it all the time.

In the clip, the speaker is shocked that a friend goes to sleep so early: “It’s not even six o’clock. It’s not even nighttime.” You can say it about money too: I have not even one dollar. That means you have zero dollars.