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纵然 (zòng rán) — even if; even though

Definition

纵然 is a written/literary 'even if / even though' that emphasizes a concession while the main clause still happens. It is more formal than 哪怕 and 就算, which belong to everyday speech.

conjunction
even ifeven though

Examples

  • 纵然，。
    zòng rán Jié guǒ bù lǐ xiǎng, wǒ yě yào jì xù nǔ lì.
    Even if the result is not ideal, I will continue to work hard.
  • 纵然，。
    zòng rán Yǒu qiān bǎi gè lǐ yóu, tā yě bù xiǎng fàng qì.
    Even if there are a thousand reasons, he doesn't want to give up.
  • 纵然，。
    zòng rán Qián lù jiān nán, wǒ men yě yào yǒng wǎng zhí qián.
    Even if the road ahead is difficult, we must forge ahead courageously.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

纵zòngeven if
然rán

纵 supplies the sense 'even if,' and 然 is a fixed ending that does not add independent meaning.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 縱; 纵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
從
從cóng縱zòng
Same sound today

The traditional form 縱 pairs the 糸 part with 從 as a sound part; the simplified 纵 is a shorthand, and its right side is not the historical sound part.

Open 纵 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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