就算⋯⋯也 (even if)

• Pinyin: jiù suàn
• Formation: 就算 + Condition ，Subject + 也 + Result :: 就算 + 再 + Adj. ，Subject + 也 + Result
• Hanzi breakdown: 算 = 竹 (bamboo) + 目 (eye) + 廾 (two hands)

Meaning

The pattern 就算⋯⋯也⋯⋯ (jiù suàn...yě...) means 'even if' or 'even supposing that.' It introduces a hypothetical concession — acknowledging a possible scenario while asserting that the outcome remains the same regardless.

就算 is one of the most common concessive conjunctions in spoken Mandarin, sitting between the more colloquial 就是 and the more formal 即使. It can be followed by 再 + adjective to intensify the hypothetical to an extreme degree, as in 就算再难也要坚持. The 也 in the result clause is essential and cannot be omitted. Unlike 虽然⋯⋯但是 which concedes a factual situation, 就算⋯⋯也 concedes a hypothetical one — the condition may or may not be true. This makes it particularly useful for arguments, negotiations, and motivational speech where the speaker wants to preemptively dismiss potential objections.

Examples

1. 就算你不同意，我也会按自己的方式去做。 Even if you disagree, I'm still going to do it my own way.
2. 就算再难，我们也不能中途放弃。 No matter how hard it gets, we can't give up halfway.
3. 就算他道歉了，她心里也很难原谅他。 Even if he apologized, it would still be hard for her to forgive him.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 就算路上堵车，我们也不会迟到的。
• 就算再贵，这套房子我也要买。
• 就算没有人支持你，你也不要放弃自己的梦想。
• 就算考不上第一志愿，还有其他好学校可以选。

Don't Say

• 就算他昨天来了，但是我没有看到。 (就算⋯⋯也 and 虽然⋯⋯但是 are different patterns — do not mix 就算 with 但是; use 也 instead) → 就算他昨天来了，我也没有看到。
• 就算下雨我不带伞。 (The result clause requires 也 to complete the concessive pattern — omitting 也 makes the sentence grammatically incomplete) → 就算下雨，我也不带伞。

Origin & History

The word 算 originally means 'to calculate' or 'to reckon.' In 就算, it extends to 'to reckon as' or 'to count as,' so 就算 literally means 'even counting/reckoning it as.' This calculating metaphor naturally lends itself to hypothetical reasoning and concessive logic.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal