Expressing "even if…" with "jiusuan"

Revision as of 06:21, 1 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)

就算 (jiùsuàn) means "even if", and is used to disregard hypothetical statements. However, 就算 has a feeling that the speaker doesn't believe that the hypothetical statement is reasonable or has any chance of being realized. It also less formal than 即使,就算and 哪怕.


  • 就算 是 白羊座 的,那 又 有 什么 影响?
  • 就算 你 说 对,又 有 什么 关系?
  • 就算 你 不 能 准时 到 也 不 要紧,我们 等 着。
  • 就算 你 有 了 权力,也 不 能 违背 你 的 原则。

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.

For example:

  • 现在 虽然 是 高峰期,但 无论如何 都 要 出去,太 饿 了!
  • 就算 现在 是 高峰期,也要 出去,太 饿 了!

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