5 · Linking clauses
Even though: jǐnguǎn and nǎpà
firm concession and the worst case
Jǐnguǎn admits a fact more firmly than suīrán; nǎpà supposes the worst or smallest case and says it changes nothing.
尽管 means “although, despite the fact that”. Like 虽然, it admits something that is true, but it sounds firmer and is especially common in writing. The second half carries 但是 or 可是, or 还是 or its written equivalent 仍然 after the subject: 尽管困难很多，我们仍然按时完成了.
哪怕 means “even if”, like 即使, but it pushes the supposition to an extreme — the worst case, or the smallest amount — and says that even then nothing changes. The second half takes 也: 哪怕一分钟也不能浪费, “not even a minute may be wasted”. It is emotional and emphatic, at home in speech as well as writing.
The two divide exactly as 虽然 and 即使 do: 尽管for what is true哪怕for what is only supposed Using 尽管 for tomorrow’s weather makes the speaker sound as if they already knew it.
尽管 has a second, unrelated use that learners meet in conversation. Directly before a verb, as an adverb, it means “feel free to, go ahead and”: 有问题尽管问, “if you have a question, just ask”. There is no concession in it at all.
The form
| a fact: 尽管 | 尽管很累，他还是坚持写完了。 |
| with 仍然 | 尽管困难很多，我们仍然按时完成了。 |
| a supposition: 哪怕 | 哪怕只睡两个小时，也比不睡好。 |
| 哪怕 with the smallest amount | 哪怕一分钟也不能浪费。 |
| the adverb: feel free to | 有问题尽管问。 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
尽管 admits a fact, like 虽然 but with more force; the second half usually has 还是, 仍然 or 但是.
尽管医生劝过他很多次，他还是没戒烟。Although the doctor has told him many times, he still hasn’t given up smoking.
哪怕 supposes the worst or the smallest case, and 也 says it changes nothing.
哪怕明天下刀子，我也要去。Come hell or high water, I’m going tomorrow.
Use 尽管 for what is true and 哪怕 for what is only supposed.
哪怕失败一百次，她也会再试一次。Even if she failed a hundred times, she would try once more.
As an adverb directly before a verb, 尽管 means “feel free to” and has nothing to do with concession.
需要什么尽管说，别客气。If you need anything, just say — don’t be shy.
A closer look
Five ways to concede
For a fact: 虽然is the everyday word尽管the firmer and more written one For a supposition: 即使 is neutral, 就算 conversational, and 哪怕 the most emphatic, reaching for the extreme case.
The second halves sort themselves accordingly. After a fact, 但是, 可是 and 却 mark the contrast; after a supposition, 也 says that the result stands. 还是 and 仍然, “still”, fit after either.
How to spot it
- 尽管
- 哪怕
- 仍然
- 哪怕…也…
Example sentences
尽管天气不好，来参观的人还是很多。Although the weather was poor, there were still a lot of visitors.
尽管我们意见不同，但是我尊重你的选择。Although we disagree, I respect your choice.
哪怕再忙，他也会陪孩子吃晚饭。No matter how busy he is, he has dinner with his children.
这件事你必须告诉她，哪怕她会生气。You have to tell her about this, even if she gets angry.
尽管房租涨了，他们仍然决定住在市中心。Although the rent has gone up, they have still decided to live in the city centre.
哪怕是一句简单的谢谢，也能让人开心一整天。Even a simple thank-you can make someone happy for a whole day.
7 more example sentences
尽管他年纪大了，身体仍然很好。Although he is getting on in years, he is still in very good health.
哪怕只是一个小错误，也可能造成大问题。Even a tiny mistake can cause big problems.
尽管这份工作工资不高，她还是做得很开心。Although this job doesn’t pay much, she still enjoys it.
我一定要看到结果，哪怕等到半夜。I’m determined to see the result, even if I have to wait until midnight.
尽管比赛输了，观众还是为他们鼓掌。Although they lost the match, the spectators still applauded them.
哪怕全世界都不相信你，我也相信你。Even if the whole world doesn’t believe you, I do.
尽管路上堵车，我们还是准时到了。Despite the traffic, we still arrived on time.
Worth knowing (1)
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Jǐnguǎn after the main clause
In writing, the 尽管 clause often follows the main clause, adding the concession at the end. This order is much less common with 虽然 in speech, and it is typical of articles and reports.
他还是去了，尽管大家都反对。He went all the same, although everyone was against it.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
Both words can come out as “even though” in English, and learners swap them. 尽管 admits a fact; tomorrow’s rain is not a fact yet, so the sentence needs the word for a supposition — 哪怕, or the more neutral 即使.
Jǐnguǎn for “despite the fact”, nǎpà for “even if, at worst” — and jǐnguǎn before a verb just means “go ahead”.
Your turn
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