Expressing "even if…" with "jiusuan"

就算 (jiùsuàn) is an informal way of saying "even if," and is used to introduce a hypothetical statement. However, unlike 即使 , 哪怕 and 就是, 就算 has more of a feeling that the speaker doesn't believe that the hypothetical statement is reasonable or has much chance of being realized.

Basic Pattern

Structure

就算 ⋯⋯ ，也 ⋯⋯

Examples

• 就算 你 不想 听 ，我 也 要 说 。Even if you didn't want to listen, I still need to say it.
• 就算 你 说 的 都 是 真的 ，我们 也 没 办法 证明。Even if what you say is true, we still don't have any way to prove it.
• 就算 会 失败 ，我 也 要 试一下 。Even if I would fail, I'm still going to try.
• 就算 你 通过 了 面试 ，也 不一定 能 被 录用 。Even if you pass the interview, we can't say you are definitely going to be hired.

Advanced Pattern

Structure

就算 + Subj. 1 + 再 ⋯⋯ ，Subj. 2 + 也 ⋯⋯

Examples

• 就算 你 给 我 再 多 钱 ，我 也 不能 干 违法 的 事情 。I can't do illegal things no matter how much you pay me.

See also

• Expressing "even if…" with "jishi"
• Expressing "even if…" with "napa"
• Expressing "even if…" with "jiushi"

Sources and further reading

HSK5