哪怕…也/还…
HSK 5- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
哪怕…也/还… expresses an extreme supposition: even if the worst-case situation occurs, the result remains unchanged.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
哪怕 is used to introduce an extreme or unlikely hypothetical condition. The following clause uses 也 or 还 to emphasize that the result remains unchanged despite that difficult condition.
This structure is similar in meaning to 即使 and 就算, but 哪怕 typically carries a stronger, more resolute tone, conveying the speaker's firm determination.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 哪怕下大雨，我也要去见他。繁: 哪怕下大雨，我也要去見他。Nǎpà xià dà yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù jiàn tā.
No matter how heavily it rains, I still have to go see him.
- 哪怕失败一百次，我也不会放弃。繁: 哪怕失敗一百次，我也不會放棄。Nǎpà shībài yìbǎi cì, wǒ yě bú huì fàngqì.
Even if I fail a hundred times, I will not give up.
- 哪怕工作再忙，你也要注意身体。繁: 哪怕工作再忙，你也要注意身體。Nǎpà gōngzuò zài máng, nǐ yě yào zhùyì shēntǐ.
No matter how busy your work is, you still need to pay attention to your health.
- 哪怕只有一个观众，我也要把戏演完。繁: 哪怕只有一個觀眾，我也要把戲演完。Nǎpà zhǐyǒu yí ge guānzhòng, wǒ yě yào bǎ xì yǎn wán.
Even if there is only one audience member, I still have to finish performing the play.
- 哪怕你不同意，我还是要这么做。繁: 哪怕你不同意，我還是要這麼做。Nǎpà nǐ bù tóngyì, wǒ háishi yào zhème zuò.
Even if you don't agree, I still have to do it this way.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:哪怕很困难，我做。Correct:哪怕很困难，我也要做。
This is a paired structure. The second clause must have 也 or 还 to emphasize an unchanged result.
- Wrong:哪怕昨天很累，我去了。Correct:虽然昨天很累，但是我还是去了。
哪怕 is used for hypothetical situations, not facts that have already occurred. For past events, use 虽然.