Conditional: 任……也…… (No Matter What — Literary)
条件复句：任……，也……
Express "no matter what/who/how" using the literary conditional 任 with 也
任 introduces a universal conditional — "no matter [who/what/how]." It is followed by an interrogative word (谁, 什么, 怎么) or a noun phrase, and the main clause uses 也 or 都 to show the result is unchanged.
任 is literary and formal. In everyday speech, you would say 不管 or 无论. 任 elevates the register and is common in writing, formal speech, and proverbs.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Conditional: 任……也…… (No Matter What — Literary) (条件复句：任……，也……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 条件复句：任……，也…… pattern
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Understanding 条件复句：任……，也……
The character 任 carries a powerful meaning: "let / allow / regardless." When used in this conditional pattern, it creates a sweeping, all-inclusive statement: "no matter who / what / how, the result is the same." 任他们怎么劝说，也改变不了我的决定 (No matter how they persuade, they cannot change my decision) shows unwavering resolve. This pattern is more literary than 不管 or 无论 and appears in formal essays, classical-flavored prose, speeches, and idioms. The word 任凭 (rènpíng) is a common two-character variant with the same meaning. Mastering 任 will give you a tool for expressing absolute, uncompromising statements with elegance.
Key Points
- 任 (rèn) = "no matter / regardless" — literary universal conditional.
- 任凭 (rènpíng) = same meaning, two-character variant, also literary.
- Follow 任 with interrogatives: 任谁 (no matter who), 任何 (any/whatever), 任怎么 (no matter how).
- The result clause uses 也 or 都 to indicate the unchanging outcome.
- 任 is more formal and literary than 不管 and 无论.
- 任何 (rènhé) = "any" — an extremely common word derived from this pattern.
- 任 can also mean "let it be / allow": 任其自然 (let it take its natural course).
The character 任 appears in many Chinese philosophical expressions about acceptance and letting go. 任其自然 (let nature take its course) reflects Daoist thinking. Using 任 in conditional patterns shows command of literary Chinese.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
任他们怎么劝说，也改变不了他的决定。
No matter how they try to persuade him, they can't change his decision.
任谁都无法抗拒这种诱惑。
Nobody can resist this kind of temptation.
任凭风吹雨打，这棵老树依然挺立。
No matter the wind and rain, this old tree still stands tall.
Literary, poetic usage
任你怎么解释，我也不会相信。
No matter how you explain, I won't believe it.
任何困难都不能阻止我们前进。
No difficulty can stop us from moving forward.
任凭他怎么道歉，她也不肯原谅他。
No matter how he apologizes, she refuses to forgive him.
Common Mistakes
The 任……也…… pattern requires 也 (or 都) in the result clause, not 但是. 但是 belongs to a different concessive pattern.
When modifying a noun directly, use the compound 任何 (any), not 任什么.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 任 as the literary big brother of 不管 — same meaning, higher register.
Use 任凭 when you want a more dramatic, sweeping tone — it works beautifully in descriptive writing.
Remember that 任何 (any) is used daily and is not restricted to formal contexts — it's your most practical 任-word.
Practice converting 不管 sentences to 任 versions to develop your literary style.
Homework
Write three literary sentences using 任……也…… to express resolve or inevitability. Then write two sentences using 任凭 in a descriptive or poetic context. Try to create vivid imagery.