Hello Mandarin Enthusiasts! 🌟
In last week’s CGG #23 lesson, we explored four different structures that all mean “even if.”
In this week’s CGG #24 lesson, we took it a step further with advanced “even if” structures.
Today, we’ll put these advanced structures into practice with five translation exercises. Practicing these will help them feel more natural in your everyday Mandarin conversations.
We’ll also highlight the subtle differences between them, so you can use each one correctly and confidently.
Let’s dive in and make these expressions a solid part of your Mandarin skills!
Recap of the CGG #23 and CGG #24 lessons
Basic Structures:
即使 (jíshǐ)... 也 (yě)...: Suitable for any context, indicating that the result remains the same no matter what happens.
就是 (jiùshì)... 也 (yě)...: A more casual version of 即使, ideal for everyday conversations.
就算 (jiùsuàn)... 也 (yě)...: Adds skepticism, expressing doubt or disbelief about something happening.
哪怕 (nǎpà)... 也 (yě)...: Stronger and more emphatic, used for serious or extreme situations to show the result won’t change.
Advanced Structures:
哪怕 (nǎpà) 再 (zài)… 也 (yě)…: Emphasizes that no matter how extreme a situation is, the result remains unchanged, showing unwavering determination.
就算 (jiùsuàn) 再 (zài)… 也 (yě)…: Similar to 哪怕 with 再, but highlights skepticism or firmness in the face of unlikely scenarios.
就算 (jiùsuàn) 又 (yòu)…: Used to express dismissiveness or indifference towards a hypothetical situation, implying that it doesn’t matter. It conveys a sense of “even if [something happens], so what?”
Today’s Exercises
Translate these English sentences into Mandarin, applying what you’ve learned about the advanced “even if” structures, using 哪怕 and 就算 with 再 or 又:
No matter how tired you are, you must finish the work.
Even if it rains heavily, I will still go for a run.
No matter how delicious the food is, I won’t eat it if it’s unhealthy.
Even if you apologize, I won’t forgive you.
Even if you know the answer, so what?
And remember: Practice Makes Perfect.
🌀 Translation #1
No matter how tired you are, you must finish the work.
Starting with the overall structure, the sentence employs the pattern:
📚 Structure: 哪怕 + [Subject] + 再 + [Hypothetical Situation] + 也 + [Result]
Why Use 哪怕 + 再?
哪怕 (nǎpà)... 也 (yě)... with 再 (zài) is the most appropriate structure in this context because it emphasizes that no matter how extreme the situation (in this case, being tired) is, the result (finishing the work) remains unchanged. It shows unwavering determination and seriousness.
Comparatively:
即使 (jíshǐ)... 也 (yě)... is a neutral structure suitable for any context but does not emphasize the extremity of the situation as strongly as 哪怕.
就是 (jiùshì)... 也 (yě)... is more casual and suited for everyday conversations.
就算 (jiùsuàn)... 也 (yě)... implies skepticism and doubt about the condition, which is not the tone we want here.
In this case, 哪怕 + 再 fits well because it stresses the seriousness of the situation (being very tired) and the necessity of completing the task, reflecting strong determination and emphasis.
哪怕 + [Subject] + 再 + [Hypothetical Situation]
In this context, the hypothetical condition is “how tired you are.”
你再累 (nǐ zài lèi)
累 (lèi) translates to “tired.”
So, 哪怕你再累 (nǎpà nǐ zài lèi) means “no matter how tired you are.”
也 + [Result]
Next, we introduce the result that remains unchanged despite the hypothetical condition. This is done using the word 也 (yě), which means “still” or “also.” It emphasizes that the action in the result part of the sentence remains unaffected by the condition mentioned.
你也必须完成工作 (nǐ yě bìxū wánchéng gōngzuò)
必须 (bìxū) translates to “must” or “have to,” showing necessity or obligation. Do not mix it up with 必需 (bìxū) which is pronounced the same but means “necessity.” Read CGG #9 to know more about the difference between 必须 and 必需.
完成 (wánchéng) means “to complete” or “to finish.”
工作 (gōngzuò) translates to “work.”
Combining these elements, 你也必须完成工作 (nǐ yě bìxū wánchéng gōngzuò) means “you must finish the work.”
Recap:
哪怕你再累,你也必须完成工作。
哪怕 / 你 / 再 / 累 / , / 你 / 也 / 必须 / 完成 / 工作 / 。
nǎpà nǐ zài lèi, nǐ yě bìxū wánchéng gōngzuò
No matter how tired you are, you must finish the work.
Even if / you / 再 / tired / you / still / must / finish / work
Let’s practice the sentences with my audio recordings:
Slow speed:
Normal speed:
🌀 Translation #2
Even if it rains heavily, I will still go for a run.
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