HSK 9
纵然...也...: Even Though in Chinese
纵然...也... is a formal or literary concessive pattern meaning even if or even though. It grants a condition while asserting that the conclusion still holds. Compared with 即使...也..., 纵然 has a more elevated register and is best reserved for writing, argument, or deliberately formal speech.
STRUCTURE
纵然 + Condition, 也 + Main conclusion
When to use 纵然…也… — and when not
Use it when
- State a formal concession: 纵然意见不同，也应彼此尊重。
- Emphasize that a conclusion survives a serious obstacle.
- Use in written argument or elevated speech when its register is appropriate.
Don't use it when
- Use 即使...也... for a neutral everyday hypothetical concession.
- Do not stack 纵然 with another first-clause concession marker.
- Do not leave the concession or unchanged conclusion incomplete.
Right vs. wrong
纵然即使困难很多，我们也要继续。
纵然困难很多，我们也要继续。
Two first-clause concession markers are stacked
Choose 纵然 or 即使; both cannot jointly introduce the same concession.
纵然，我们也应彼此尊重。
纵然意见不同，我们也应彼此尊重。
The conceded condition is missing
纵然 must introduce the condition being conceded.
Examples
纵然意见不同，我们也应彼此尊重。
Zòngrán yìjiàn bùtóng, wǒmen yě yīng bǐcǐ zūnzhòng.
Even if our views differ, we should respect one another.
这事纵然很难，也必须有人去做。
Zhè shì zòngrán hěn nán, yě bìxū yǒu rén qù zuò.
Even though this is difficult, someone must do it.
纵然机会很小，他也不愿放弃。
Zòngrán jīhuì hěn xiǎo, tā yě bú yuàn fàngqì.
Even though the chance is small, he is unwilling to give up.
Common mistakes
纵然即使困难很多，我们也要继续。
Zòngrán jíshǐ kùnnan hěn duō, wǒmen yě yào jìxù.
Use one concession marker, not both 纵然 and 即使.
纵然，我们也应彼此尊重。
Zòngrán, wǒmen yě yīng bǐcǐ zūnzhòng.
Add the conceded condition after 纵然.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 纵然…也… sentence and check that grammar point first.
纵然...也...: Even Though FAQ
How is 纵然...也... different from 即使...也...?
The logic is similar, but 纵然 is more formal or literary and much less common in everyday conversation.
Can 纵然 describe a factual concession?
It can grant an actual or hypothetical obstacle, but it always emphasizes that the main conclusion remains unchanged.
Related Chinese grammar points
即使…也
即使...也 (Even If...)
Easy to confuse
Compare literary concession with the neutral standard even-if pattern.
就算/就是…也…
就算/就是...也...: Even If...
Easy to confuse
Contrast formal concessive register with a conversational alternative.
倘若/若…就…
倘若...就...: Formal If
Compare
Separate conceding an obstacle from supposing a formal condition.