就算…也…
HSK 5- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 就算…也… is used to express the hypothetical "even if... still...", emphasizing that the result remains unchanged.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
就算…也… (jiùsuàn... yě...) means "even if… still…" or "even supposing… still…". This structure is used to introduce a hypothetical or concessive clause (the clause with 就算), then assert that the result (the clause with 也) remains unchanged regardless of that hypothesis.
就算 is more commonly used in spoken language than 即使, carrying a stronger tone that emphasizes determination or an inevitable outcome.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 就算下大雨，我也要去上班。Jiùsuàn xià dà yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù shàngbān.
Even if it rains heavily, I still have to go to work.
- 就算失败了，我也不会放弃。繁: 就算失敗了，我也不會放棄。Jiùsuàn shībài le, wǒ yě bú huì fàngqì.
Even if I fail, I will not give up.
- 就算你不同意，我也要这么做。繁: 就算你不同意，我也要這麼做。Jiùsuàn nǐ bù tóngyì, wǒ yě yào zhème zuò.
Even if you don't agree, I will do it anyway.
- 就算这件衣服很贵，我也要买。繁: 就算這件衣服很貴，我也要買。Jiùsuàn zhè jiàn yīfu hěn guì, wǒ yě yào mǎi.
Even if this piece of clothing is very expensive, I still want to buy it.
- 就算熬夜，我也要把作业写完。繁: 就算熬夜，我也要把作業寫完。Jiùsuàn áoyè, wǒ yě yào bǎ zuòyè xiě wán.
Even if I have to stay up all night, I still have to finish my homework.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:就算下雨，我去上课。Correct:就算下雨，我也去上课。
就算 typically pairs with 也 to emphasize that the result remains unchanged. Without 也, the sentence sounds unnatural.
- Wrong:就算他很有钱，但是他不快乐。Correct:虽然他很有钱，但是他不快乐。
就算 is used for hypothetical situations ('even if...'), while 虽然 is used for known facts ('although...').