尽管 (jǐn guǎn) — (conjunction) although, despite, even though; (…

Definition

尽管 is a conjunction meaning 'although/even though' — usually paired with 还是/还是/仍然 in the main clause. As an adverb it means 'feel free to', similar to 只管. 虽然 is more common in everyday speech.

conjunction

althoughdespiteeven though

adverb

feel free togo ahead and (do something without hesitation)

Examples

尽管，。
jǐn guǎn Tiān qì hěn lěng, tā hái shì qù yóu yǒng le.
Although the weather was very cold, he still went swimming.
，尽管。
Nǐ yǒu shén me wèn tí, jǐn guǎn wèn.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
尽管，。
jǐn guǎn Gōng zuò hěn máng, tā měi tiān dōu jiān chí duàn liàn.
Even though work is very busy, she insists on exercising every day.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

尽jìnto the utmost

管guǎnto take care

尽 “to the utmost” combines with 管 “to take care”, giving the sense of doing something without holding back.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 盡; 尽 is its simplified writing.

聿聿yùhand holding a brush
灬灬huǒbristles
皿皿mǐndish

The traditional form 盡 shows 聿 (hand holding a brush) and 灬 (bristles) over 皿 (dish), cleaning a dish until it is empty. The simplified 尽 is a shorthand, not those historical parts.

Open 尽 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

竹官管

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

官

官guān管guǎn

Same sound today

管 has 竹 (bamboo) on top to show it relates to bamboo, and 官 gives its sound.

Open 管 →