HSK · Level 87
45 words
Chinese word
纵然
Pronunciation
Pinyinzòng rán
Meaning
- conjunctioneven if
Example
纵然很晚，他也会来帮忙。zòng rán hěn wǎn tā yě huì lái bāng máng
Even if it is very late, he will still come to help.
More examples
纵然如此，他还是选择原谅她。zòng rán rú cǐ tā hái shì xuǎn zé yuán liàng tā
Even so, he still chose to forgive her.
Core concept
A condition is accepted as true, but the outcome stays unchanged.
Common phrases
纵然...也zòng rán yě
even if ___ still
纵然如此zòng rán rú cǐ
even so
Similar words
即使jí shǐ: Introduces a possible condition while showing that the final result will still not change.
就算jiù suàn: Introduces a condition while emphasizing that the chosen response will stay the same.
尽管jín guǎn: Acknowledges an obstacle or opposition while showing that an action will continue.
Definition in Chinese
表示让步关系，常与“也”“仍然”“却”等连用，意思为“即便如此，结果仍然如此”，书面语色彩明显。biǎo shì ràng bù guān xì cháng yǔ yě réng rán què děng lián yòng yì si wèi jí biàn rú cǐ jié guǒ réng rán rú cǐ shū miàn yǔ sè cǎi míng xiǎn
Word origin
纵然 (zòngrán, "even if") comes from 纵 (zòng, "even if") + 然 (rán, "so"), an older pattern that grants a condition before keeping the result unchanged.
Usage tips
- For conversational Chinese, 纵然 (zòngrán, "even if") is useful to recognize in writing, but its formal tone makes it less typical of relaxed daily speech.
Other meanings
- ifconjunction