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 不 后悔 。Even if I would fail, I won't regret.
• 就算 他 说 他 请客 ，我 也 要 买单 。Even if he said it's his treat, I'm the one who's going to pay.
• 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.
• 就算 再 穷 ，她 也 不去 要饭 。She never went on the street to beg for money no matter how poor she was.
• 我 已经 吃饱了 ，就算 再 好吃 ，我 也 不 想 吃 了 。I'm full already. I don't want to eat anymore no matter how good the food taste.
• 就算 再 困难 ， 我们 也 要 坚持 。We should carry on no matter how difficult it is.

Colloquial Saying

就算⋯⋯又怎么样？Even if..., so what?

A few examples:

• 就算 他 来 了 又 怎么样 ？Even if he came, so what?
• 就算 你 家 有钱 又 怎么样 ？Even if your family is rich, so what?
• 就算 她 不高兴 又 怎么样 ？Even if she is unhappy, so so what?

See also

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

Sources and further reading

HSK5