纵然...也...: Even Though in Chinese
纵然…也…
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.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
纵然 + Condition, 也 + Main conclusion
Read the structure
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. Keep the model 纵然 + Condition, 也 + Main conclusion visible while you compare each sentence.
纵然意见不同，我们也应彼此尊重。
Even if our views differ, we should respect one another.
Choose the right context
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.
这事纵然很难，也必须有人去做。
Even though this is difficult, someone must do it.
Respect the boundary
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.
纵然即使困难很多，我们也要继续。
(Even though even if difficulties are many, we continue.)
Repair the pattern
Two first-clause concession markers are stacked: Choose 纵然 or 即使; both cannot jointly introduce the same concession. The conceded condition is missing: 纵然 must introduce the condition being conceded.
纵然困难很多，我们也要继续。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
纵然意见不同，我们也应彼此尊重。
Even if our views differ, we should respect one another.
纵然
纵然
This part occupies the 纵然 position in the model pattern.
意见
Condition, 也
This part occupies the Condition, 也 position in the model pattern.
不同
Main conclusion
This part occupies the Main conclusion position in the model pattern.
，
纵然
This part occupies the 纵然 position in the model pattern.
我们
Condition, 也
This part occupies the Condition, 也 position in the model pattern.
也
Main conclusion
This part occupies the Main conclusion position in the model pattern.
应
纵然
This part occupies the 纵然 position in the model pattern.
彼此
Condition, 也
This part occupies the Condition, 也 position in the model pattern.
尊重
Main conclusion
This part occupies the Main conclusion position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
纵然意见不同，我们也应彼此尊重。
Even if our views differ, we should respect one another.
这事纵然很难，也必须有人去做。
Even though this is difficult, someone must do it.
纵然机会很小，他也不愿放弃。
Even though the chance is small, he is unwilling to give up.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
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.
Do not 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.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
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.
纵然即使困难很多，我们也要继续。
Use one concession marker, not both 纵然 and 即使.
纵然，我们也应彼此尊重。
Add the conceded condition after 纵然.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 纵然…也….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 纵然…也…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
纵然...也...: Even Though Questions
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.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 纵然…也…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 纵然…也… appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 纵然…也…
Cross-checks the 纵然 + Condition, 也 + Main conclusion pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 9 as an internal subdivision of the official advanced band; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
即使…也即使...也 (Even If...)
Compare literary concession with the neutral standard even-if pattern.
Easy to confuse
就算/就是…也…就算/就是...也...: Even If...
Contrast formal concessive register with a conversational alternative.
Compare
倘若/若…就…倘若...就...: Formal If
Separate conceding an obstacle from supposing a formal condition.
Compare
首先……，然后……首先……然后…… Ordered Steps
Contrast concessive discourse with explicit ordering of sequential steps.
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Easy to confuse
Compare literary concession with the neutral standard even-if pattern.