Expressing "even if…" with "napa"

Level

B2 / HSK5
Level

B2
Level

HSK5
Similar to
Similar to
- Expressing "even if…" with "jishi" (HSK4)
- Expressing "even if…" with "jiushi" (HSK5)
- Expressing "even if…" with "jiusuan" (HSK5)
Used for

Indicating conditions, Expressing determination
Keywords

也, 再, 哪怕

哪怕 (nǎpà) 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 normally used with 也. Some forms of the pattern also use 再.

Basic Form

The basic "even if" form should be familiar if you know how to use 即使 or 就算.

Structure

哪怕 + [Hypothetical Statement] + 也 + [Action]

Examples

哪怕你只发十块钱的红包，大家也会很开心的。Even if you only gave ten dollars in a red envelope, everyone would still be happy.
哪怕你就陪孩子玩一小会儿，她也会很开心的。It would make the child really happy even if you spend only a few minutes with her.
哪怕他爸爸是总统，我也不要嫁给他！I wouldn't marry him even if his father is the president!
哪怕你们会不高兴，我也要把话说清楚。I would still say it clearly even if it made you guys unhappy.
哪怕你打扮得像电影明星一样，他也不会看你一眼！Even if you dressed up like a movie star, he still wouldn't pay you the slightest attention!

哪怕 with 再

Structure with 再

哪怕 is often followed by 再 (in the first part of the sentence) to give further emphasis to what the speaker is saying won't make a difference. In this usage, it's very similar to "no matter," which can also be expressed by patterns like 不管.

哪怕 + [Subj. 1] + 再 + Adj. [Subj. 2] + 也 + [Verb Phrase]

Note: some verbs can also be used with this pattern in place of the adjective.

Examples with 再

哪怕你说得再好，我们也不相信。Even if you can be exceptionally persuasive, we're not going to believe it.
哪怕你工作再努力，经理也不可能给你加薪。The manager is not going to give you a pay raise no matter how hard you work.
哪怕你问再多遍，她现在也不会说一个字。No matter how many times you ask her, she will not say a single word.
哪怕再忙，我也要抽时间回家看父母。Even if I‘m super busy, I will still find some time to visit my parents back home.
哪怕再累，她也不要父母帮忙照顾孩子。Even if it's really exhausting, she doesn't want her parents' help with the baby.
哪怕学生再不听话，老师也不应该打他们。No matter how disobedient the students are, their teachers shouldn't hit them.

Sources and further reading

Books