Concessive Compound: 再……也…… (No Matter How…Still…)
再……也……
Express that a result remains unchanged regardless of the degree or extent of a condition
Place 再 before an adjective or verb to express an extreme or hypothetical degree, then use 也 to emphasize that the outcome remains the same regardless.
再 here does not mean "again" — it means "no matter how much (more)." This is a concessive use of 再, indicating that even if the quality or action reaches an extreme, the result is unchanged. The 也 in the second half is required.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Concessive Compound: 再……也…… (No Matter How…Still…) (再……也……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 再……也…… pattern
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Understanding 再……也……
The 再……也…… pattern is a concise and expressive concessive structure. It means "no matter how [adjective/verb], [result] still..." For example, 这件事再难也要坚持下去 (No matter how difficult this matter is, you must persist). The 再 pushes the condition to its extreme — "even if it is extremely difficult" — while 也 asserts that the outcome does not change. This pattern is shorter and more colloquial than 即使……也……, and it is particularly common in spoken Chinese. It conveys determination, acceptance, or inevitability. You will often hear it in motivational contexts, arguments, and everyday expressions of resolve. The beauty of this structure is its economy — with just two characters (再 and 也) framing an adjective, you can express a powerful concessive idea.
Key Points
- 再 before an adjective means "no matter how [adj]" — pushing it to an extreme degree.
- 再 before a verb means "no matter how much one [verb]s."
- 也 in the second clause is mandatory and means "still / nevertheless."
- This pattern is more concise and colloquial than 即使……也…….
- The subject usually appears before 再 or at the very beginning of the sentence.
- Common adjectives used: 难, 累, 忙, 远, 贵, 大, 长, 多.
The 再……也…… pattern is a favorite in Chinese motivational culture. Teachers, parents, and coaches frequently use it to encourage persistence: 再苦也要学下去 (No matter how bitter it is, you must keep studying). It reflects the cultural emphasis on endurance and effort.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这件事再难也要坚持下去。
No matter how difficult this matter is, you must persist.
雨下得再大我也要去上班。
No matter how heavy the rain is, I still have to go to work.
这篇课文再长也要读完。
No matter how long this text is, you must finish reading it.
他再忙也会给妈妈打电话。
No matter how busy he is, he will call his mom.
东西再贵也有人买。
No matter how expensive things are, there are still people who buy them.
路再远也不怕，我们一起走。
No matter how far the road is, we're not afraid — let's walk together.
再累也不能放弃锻炼。
No matter how tired you are, you can't give up exercising.
他再怎么解释，她也不相信。
No matter how he explains, she still doesn't believe him.
Common Mistakes
也 is required in the second clause to complete the concessive pattern. Without it, the sentence lacks the "still" meaning.
The subject comes before 再, not after it. 再 directly precedes the adjective or verb.
Do not use 但是 with 再……也……. The pair is 再 + 也, not 再 + 但是.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
再 in this pattern does NOT mean "again" — it means "no matter how much / to what extent."
Pair common adjectives with 再……也……: 再难也要学, 再忙也要吃饭, 再远也要去.
For verbs, use 再怎么: 再怎么说也没用 (No matter what you say, it's useless).
This is more colloquial than 即使……也…… — use it in daily conversation for natural flow.
Homework
Write eight sentences using 再……也……. Use four different adjectives (难, 累, 忙, 贵) and four different verb phrases (再怎么……). Express both determination (再难也要……) and impossibility (再怎么……也不/没……).