Ch 31 · Lesson 16Mandarin · Chapter 31 · Lesson 16 · Grammar primer
Even though and even if: 虽然, 即使, 就算
concedes a fact (，); and the spoken concede a supposition and take (，).
The short version
，。Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě qù.
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'Even though' concedes something that is so: (suīrán), with (dànshì) or (háishi) after it. 'Even if' concedes something that may never happen: (jíshǐ), or the spoken (jiùsuàn), with (yě) before the verb, not (jiù).
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| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Suīrán xià yǔ le, wǒmen háishi qù le. | Even though it rained, we went (a fact) |
，。 | Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě qù. | Even if it rains tomorrow, we'll go |
，。 | Jiùsuàn nǐ bú qù, wǒ yě qù. | Even if you don't go, I'm going |
，。 | Nǎpà zhǐyǒu yí kuài qián, wǒ yě yào huángěi nǐ. | Even if it's only one yuan, I'll repay you |
，。 | Jǐnguǎn hěn lěng, tā háishi qù pǎobù le. | Despite the cold, he went running |
The test is one question: has it happened, or is it true? Then (suīrán). Might it happen? Then (jíshǐ):
- ，
- ，
Yesterday's football really happened: 虽然很累，还是踢了球 (suīrán hěn lèi, háishi tī le qiú), tired as I was, I still played. Tomorrow's bike ride has not happened yet: 即使下雨，也去骑车 (jíshǐ xià yǔ, yě qù qíchē), even if it rains, I'll still go cycling.
Even though: 虽然 (suīrán) for a fact
(suīrán) concedes something that really is so. The second clause takes (dànshì) or (kěshì) before its subject, or (háishi), "still", before its verb:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Suīrán tā hěn lèi, dànshì tā hái zài gōngzuò. | Although he's tired, he's still working |
，。 | Suīrán zhè běn shū hěn nán, dànshì wǒ kànwán le. | The book was hard, but I finished it |
，。 | Suīrán hěn guì, wǒ háishi mǎi le. | It was dear, but I bought it anyway |
The full story of (suīrán) and its partners is on although in Mandarin.
Even if: 即使 (jíshǐ)…也 (yě)
For something that has not happened, and may never happen, the opener is (jíshǐ) and the partner is (yě), before the verb:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě qù. | Even if it rains tomorrow, we'll go |
，。 | Jíshǐ hěn guì, wǒ yě huì mǎi. | Even if it's dear, I'll buy it |
，。 | Jíshǐ shībài le, wǒ yě bú huì fàngqì. | Even if I fail, I won't give up |
(jíshǐ) is not an "if". A condition decides the result and takes (jiù): ，。 (Rúguǒ xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bú qù.), if it rains, I won't go. says the result happens anyway, so does not fit: ，。 is wrong. More on that on unless and in case.
就算 (jiùsuàn): the spoken even if
(jiùsuàn) works exactly like (jíshǐ), with (yě), and it is the one you hear in conversation:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Jiùsuàn nǐ bù tóngyì, wǒ yě yào shìshi. | Even if you disagree, I want to try |
，。 | Jiùsuàn méiyǒu rén bāng wǒ, wǒ yě néng zuòwán. | Even if nobody helps, I can finish it |
In an argument, (jiùsuàn) can also grant a point for the sake of argument, true or not: ，。 (Jiùsuàn nǐ shuō de duì, yě bù néng zhèyàng shuō.), even if you are right, you can't talk like that. For something that plainly happened, like yesterday's rain, use (suīrán).
The three openers for "even if" differ in register more than in meaning:
- 就算 jiùsuàn
- 即使 jíshǐ
- 即便 jíbiàn
Going further: 哪怕 (nǎpà): even at the extreme and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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