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.

Structure

就算 + [hypothetical statement] + 也 + [action].

Examples

• 就算 你 说 得 对，那 也 没 用。Even if what you say is true, it's still not useful.
• 就算 你 不 能 准时 到 也 不 要紧，我们 会 等 你。Even if you can't be there on time, it's not important. We can wait for you.
• 就算 你 能 证明 枪 是 她 的，那 也 没法 证明 她 有罪。Even if you can prove that it's her gun, you still have to prove that she's guilty.

又 is often used in the last statement to further emphasize the lack of importance of the first statement.

Note that the clause used after 就算 must be hypothetical, otherwise 虽然 should be used:

• *现在 虽然 是 高峰期，但 无论如何 我 都 要 出门。
• *就算 现在 是 高峰期，我 也要 出门。

In the first example, it currently being rush hour is not a hypothetical statement, so it is incorrect to use 就算.

See also

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

Sources & further reading

HSK5