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 的 都 是 真的，我们 也 没 办法 证明。Even if what you say is true,you still couldn't find a way to prove it.
• 就算 员工 会 抱怨，公司也 要 实行 这个 新 政策。Even if the staff would complaint about it,the company are still gonna carry out the new policy.
• 就算你 是 美国 总统，我也 不能 破例。I can't make exception for you even if you are the president of the united states.
• 就算你 的 汉语水平 达到 了 高级，也 还是 会 有 发音 问题。Even if your Chinese's reached a very high level,you still have trouble with pronuciation.
• 就算你 顺利 通过 了 面试，也 不一定 能 被 录用。Even if you pass the interview successfully,we can't say you are definitely gonna be hired.

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