Expressing "even if…" with "napa"

哪怕 means "even if", and has a slightly stronger tone than 即使 or 就算. It is therefore often used to disregard hypothetical statements of a more serious nature. It is also used in conjunction with 也.

Structure

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

Examples

  • 哪怕 你 的 病情 再 怎么 严重, 不 要 灰心。
  • 她 是 个 乐观主义 者,哪怕 遭受 挫折,她 会 继续 奋斗。
  • 哪怕 困难 再 多,我 会 坚持 到底,永 不 放弃!

哪怕 is often followed by 再 to give further emphasis to the severity of situation the speaker is disregarding.

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

  • 现在 虽然 是 高峰期,但 我 无论如何 都 要 出去
  • 哪怕 现在 是 高峰期,我 要 出去

In the first sentence, it being rush hour is not a hypothetical statement, so it is incorrect to use 哪怕.


See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5