Concessive Conditionals with Toh
Use 'Agar/Chahe... toh bhi' to show that a result remains unchanged despite a specific condition or obstacle.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Expresses 'Even if X, still Y'
- Uses 'Toh bhi' or 'Phir bhi' as connector
- Starts with 'Agar', 'Chahe', or 'Bhale hi'
- Result implies defiance or indifference to condition
Quick Reference
| Starter (The 'Even If') | Condition (Clause A) | Connector (The 'Still') | Result (Clause B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| अगर (Agar) | बारिश हो (barish ho) | तो भी (toh bhi) | मैच होगा (match hoga) (The मत (mat)ch will hapपेन (pen)) |
| चाहे (Chahe) | वो माफ़ी मांगे (wo maafi maange) | तो भी (toh bhi) | मैं (main) नहीं सुनूंगा (nahin sununga) (I वो (wo)n't lisते (te)n) |
| भले ही (Bhale hi) | टिकट महंगा हो (ticket mehnga ho) | तो भी (toh bhi) | हम खरीदेंगे (hum kharidenge) (We will buy it) |
| (Noने (ne)) | तुम मना करो (Tum mana karo) | तो भी (toh bhi) | वो आएगा (wo aayega) (He will come) |
| चाहे (Chahe) | दुनिया इधर की उधर हो जाए (duniya idhar ki udhar ho jaye) | तो (toh) | मैं (main) वहीं रहूंगा (wahin rahunga) (I'll sता (ta)y there) |
| अगर (Agar) | मैं हार जाऊं (main haar jaun) | फिर भी (phir bhi) | कोशिश करूंगा (koshish karunga) (I'll try) |
Exemples clés
3 sur 10अगर (Agar) तुम (tum) गुस्सा (gussa) हो (ho), **तो भी (toh bhi)** बात (baat) करनी चाहिए (karni chahiye).
Even if you are angry, you should still talk.
**चाहे (Chahe)** जी (ji)tni भी (bhi) der हो (ho) जा (ja)ye, मैं (main) **तो (toh)** इंतज़ार करूंगा (intezaar karunga).
No matter how late it gets, *I* will wait.
**भले ही (Bhale hi)** वो (wo) अमीर (amir) है (hai), **तो (toh) क्या (kya)** हुआ (hua)?
Even if he is rich, so what?
The 'Bhi' Saver
If you're unsure if a sentence is concessive ('even if') or conditional ('if'), adding 'bhi' after 'toh' usually forces it into the concessive meaning. It's your safety net!
Dramatic Flair
Indian dramas love 'Chahe...'. You'll hear heroes say 'Chahe meri jaan chali jaye...' (Even if I lose my life...). It's the language of high emotion.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Expresses 'Even if X, still Y'
- Uses 'Toh bhi' or 'Phir bhi' as connector
- Starts with 'Agar', 'Chahe', or 'Bhale hi'
- Result implies defiance or indifference to condition
Overview
Imagine you are the most stubborn person in the room. No matter what happens—rain, snow, or a zombie apocalypse—your plans won't change. That is the essence of Concessive Conditionals. In English, we say "Even if..." or "Although... still...". In Hindi, we use a mix of अगर (agar), चाहे (chahe), or भले ही (bhale hi) paired with our versatile friend तो (toh) (often as तो भी (toh bhi)).
How This Grammar Works
Standard conditionals depend on a condition: "If A, then B." (If it rains, I stay home). Concessive conditionals break that dependency: "Even if A, still B." (Even if it rains, I am going out). The result (B) happens regardless of the condition (A). The particle तो (toh) here acts as the bridge, often strengthened with भी (bhi) (also/even) to mean "even then" or "still".
Formation Pattern
- 1There are two main flavors for B2 learners:
- 2The "Even If" (Hypothetical):
- 3
अगर(Agar) + [Subjunctive/Past Verb] +..., +तो भी(toh bhi) + [Result]. - 4*Example:*
Agar wo bulaye, toh bhi mat jaana.(Even if he calls, don't go.) - 5The "No Matter What" (Defiant/Emphatic):
- 6
चाहे(Chahe) /भले ही(Bhale hi) + [Subjunctive Verb] +..., +(toh/phir) bhi+ [Result]. - 7*Example:*
Chahe kuch bhi ho, main toh yehi karunga.(No matter what happens, I will do exactly this.) - 8*Note:* Sometimes
तो(toh) sits alone in the second clause to emphasize the subject or the action, like a stubborn little flag.
When To Use It
- Showing Determination: When nothing will stop you.
- dismissing Irrelevance: When a factor doesn't matter (e.g., "Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it").
- Reassuring Someone: "Even if you fail, I'll support you."
- Arguments: "Even if you are right, you shouldn't shout!"
When Not To Use It
- Simple Conditions: Don't use it for "If X happens, Y happens." Use standard
agar... toh.... If the result *depends* on the condition, this is the wrong pattern. - Causal Relationships: "Because it rained, I got wet" is not a concessive conditional.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting
भी(bhi): Using justतो(toh) can sometimes sound like a normal conditional.तो भी(Toh bhi) (even then) makes the concession clear. - Wrong Verb Mood: With
चाहे(chahe) (no matter/whether), we often use the subjunctive (commands/wishes mood) because the situation might be hypothetical.Chahe wo aaye(Whether he comes...) vsChahe wo aata hai(incorrect nuance). - Mixing
लेकिन(Lekin) (But): Learners often try to putलेकिन(lekin) in the middle. Hindi prefersतो भी(toh bhi) orफिर भी(phir bhi) for the "still" logic here.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Jab... Tab...(When... Then...): This is time-based. Concessive is logic-based.Agar... Toh...(If... Then...): This is cause-and-effect. Concessive is cause-and-NO-effect.हालांकि(Halanki) (Although): Used for facts (Halanki wo bimar tha...- Although he was sick...).Chahe/Agar... toh bhiis better for possibilities (Agar wo bimar ho...- Even if he gets sick...).
Quick FAQ
Q: Can I drop अगर (agar) or चाहे (chahe)?
Yes! Just like in standard conditionals, spoken Hindi often drops the first word if the tone is clear. Baarish ho, toh bhi chalenge!
Q: Is तो भी (toh bhi) the same as फिर भी (phir bhi)?
Very similar. फिर भी (Phir bhi) is "nevertheless" (stronger contrast). तो भी (Toh bhi) is "even then" (logical consequence). Interchangable in 90% of casual chats.
Reference Table
| Starter (The 'Even If') | Condition (Clause A) | Connector (The 'Still') | Result (Clause B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| अगर (Agar) | बारिश हो (barish ho) | तो भी (toh bhi) | मैच होगा (match hoga) (The मत (mat)ch will hapपेन (pen)) |
| चाहे (Chahe) | वो माफ़ी मांगे (wo maafi maange) | तो भी (toh bhi) | मैं (main) नहीं सुनूंगा (nahin sununga) (I वो (wo)n't lisते (te)n) |
| भले ही (Bhale hi) | टिकट महंगा हो (ticket mehnga ho) | तो भी (toh bhi) | हम खरीदेंगे (hum kharidenge) (We will buy it) |
| (Noने (ne)) | तुम मना करो (Tum mana karo) | तो भी (toh bhi) | वो आएगा (wo aayega) (He will come) |
| चाहे (Chahe) | दुनिया इधर की उधर हो जाए (duniya idhar ki udhar ho jaye) | तो (toh) | मैं (main) वहीं रहूंगा (wahin rahunga) (I'll sता (ta)y there) |
| अगर (Agar) | मैं हार जाऊं (main haar jaun) | फिर भी (phir bhi) | कोशिश करूंगा (koshish karunga) (I'll try) |
The 'Bhi' Saver
If you're unsure if a sentence is concessive ('even if') or conditional ('if'), adding 'bhi' after 'toh' usually forces it into the concessive meaning. It's your safety net!
Dramatic Flair
Indian dramas love 'Chahe...'. You'll hear heroes say 'Chahe meri jaan chali jaye...' (Even if I lose my life...). It's the language of high emotion.
Subject Position
In 'Chahe main mar jaoon, main toh jaunga', the 'toh' is attached to the subject 'I'. This emphasizes that *I* specifically am the stubborn one.
Don't Double Dip
Don't use 'Lekin' (but) with 'Agar/Chahe'. The 'Toh bhi' part already includes the contrast. Saying 'Agar... lekin...' is like saying 'If... but...' - it's clumsy.
Exemples
10अगर (Agar) तुम (tum) गुस्सा (gussa) हो (ho), **तो भी (toh bhi)** बात (baat) करनी चाहिए (karni chahiye).
Focus: तो भी (toh bhi)
Even if you are angry, you should still talk.
Standard advice scenario.
**चाहे (Chahe)** जी (ji)tni भी (bhi) der हो (ho) जा (ja)ye, मैं (main) **तो (toh)** इंतज़ार करूंगा (intezaar karunga).
Focus: चाहे (Chahe)
No matter how late it gets, *I* will wait.
Here 'toh' emphasizes the subject 'I' rather than 'still'.
**भले ही (Bhale hi)** वो (wo) अमीर (amir) है (hai), **तो (toh) क्या (kya)** हुआ (hua)?
Focus: भले ही (Bhale hi)
Even if he is rich, so what?
Rhetorical question pattern.
अगर (Agar) बॉस (boss) चिल्लाए (chillaye) **भी (bhi)**, **तो भी (toh bhi)** चुप रहना (chup rehna).
Focus: भी (bhi)
Even if the boss shouts, [even then] stay silent.
Double 'bhi' adds extra emphasis.
चाहे (Chahe) कुछ (kuch) भी (bhi) कहो (kaho), मैं (main) नहीं (nahin) मानूंगा (manunga).
Focus: चाहे (Chahe)
Say whatever you want, I won't agree.
Connector is implied/dropped (very common).
हम (Hum) **तो (toh)** जाएंगे (jayenge), **चाहे (chahe)** कोई (koi) रोके (roke).
Focus: तो (toh)
We will go for sure, even if someone stops us.
Inverted structure (Result first).
अगर (Agar) बारिश हो (barish ho)gi, **तो भी (toh bhi)** मैं (main) जाऊंगा (jaunga).
Focus: तो भी (toh bhi)
Even if it rains, I will go.
Avoid 'lekin' in conditional structures.
चाहे (Chahe) वो (wo) **आए (aaye)**, मैं (main) जा रहा हूं (ja raha hoon).
Focus: आए (aaye)
Whether he comes or not, I am going.
Use subjunctive (aaye) not indicative (aata hai) with Chahe.
**यदि (Yadi)** आप (aap) प्रयास करते रहेंगे (prayas karte rahenge), **तो (toh)** सफलता मिलेगी (safalta milegi) ही (hi).
Focus: यदि (Yadi)
If you keep trying, you will *definitely* get success.
Formal register using Yadi and emphatic 'hi'.
चाहे (Chahe) तुम (tum) मुझे (mujhe) bहो (ho)ol जा (ja)o, मैं (main) तुम्हें (tumhe) कभी (kabhi) नहीं (nahin) bहो (ho)olउन (un)ga.
Focus: चाहे (Chahe)
Even if you forget me, I will never forget you.
Classic Bollywood drama line.
Teste-toi
Choose the best connector for the 'Even if' logic.
अगर (Agar) तुम (tum) था (tha)ke हो (ho), ___ काम (kaam) पूरा करना पड़ेगा (pura karna padega).
'Toh bhi' means 'even then' or 'still'. 'Tab' is just 'then', which sounds like a normal condition.
Select the correct starter for 'No matter/Whether'.
___ तुम (tum) maafi mango, मैं (main) maaf नहीं (nahin) karउन (un)ga.
'Chahe' expresses 'whether' or 'no matter'. 'Kyunki' is because, 'Jab' is when.
Complete the defiant sentence.
भले ही (Bhale hi) सब लोग (sab log) mana karein, मैं (main) ___ जाऊंगा (jaunga).
'Phir bhi' (nevertheless/still) fits the defiance. 'Kyunki' (because) and 'Shayad' (maybe) don't fit the strong intent.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Connector Showdown
Which 'Toh' to Use?
Does the result depend on the condition?
Is it a simple cause-effect?
The Trio of Starts
Agar (If)
- • Neutral
- • Standard
Chahe (Whether)
- • Indifferent
- • Open-ended
Bhale hi (Even though)
- • Strong
- • Emphatic
Questions fréquentes
20 questionsIt means you are 'conceding' (admitting) a difficult fact, but refusing to let it change the outcome. Like saying 'Okay, fine, it's raining (concession), but I'm still going (result).'
Yes, absolutely. फिर भी (फिर भी (Phir bhi)) literally means 'then also' or 'nevertheless'. It is often slightly stronger and more formal than तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)), but in daily life, they are twins.
No. You can start with अगर (अगर (Agar)) or even drop the starter entirely if your tone is clear. Tum kuch bhi karo, main nahin aaunga (Do anything, I won't come).
Yes. Agar usne kaha bhi tha, toh maine nahin suna. (Even if he HAD said it, I didn't listen.) It works across tenses.
अगर (अगर (Agar)) is neutral (If). भले ही (भले ही (Bhale hi)) is stronger (Even if / Although). Use भले ही (भले ही (Bhale hi)) when you want to highlight that the obstacle is significant.
Use चाहे (चाहे (Chahe)). Chahe wo gussa ho... (Even if/Whether he is angry...). It's a great alternative to avoid repetitive अगर (अगर (Agar)) usage.
Grammatically, yes, some connector is expected. But in rapid speech, people might pause instead of saying तो (toh). However, keep तो (toh) or तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)) in your writing.
Toh phir usually means 'Then in that case'. In concessive sentences, तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)) (Then also) is the correct logic. Toh phir connects consequences, तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)) disconnects them.
It's common in slang, but grammatically weak. Chahe... par... is understandable but Chahe... toh bhi... is the proper pattern.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss (Agar aap kahein toh bhi...) or your friend (Chahe tu roye...). The respect level comes from the verb endings, not the structure.
That's common! Agar wo aaya bhi... (Even if he DOES come...). Putting भी (bhi) in the first clause adds emphasis to the condition itself.
Use Chahe kuch bhi ho or Kuch bhi ho jaye. Follow it with तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)) or just the result.
Yes! Main toh jaunga, chahe barish ho. (I will go, even if it rains.) It puts the focus on your action first.
यदि (यदि (yadi)) is just the formal version of अगर (अगर (Agar)). Yadi... toh bhi... is perfect for formal writing or speeches.
In this structure, it mostly functions as a marker saying 'Here comes the result'. It doesn't translate easily to English words like 'then' every time.
तब (tab) is strictly time-related (At that time). Jab... Tab.... Don't use तब (tab) for logical conditions unless time is the main point.
Just तो भी (तो भी (Toh bhi)) or फिर भी (फिर भी (Phir bhi)). If someone tells you a sad story, you can say Phir bhi, tumne achha kiya (Even so, you did well).
Usually we use subjunctive (root + e/ein). Chahe wo aaye is better than Chahe wo aayega. But colloquial speech is flexible.
Constantly. Songs about eternal love often use 'Chahe' to promise love despite obstacles. 'Chahe tum kuch na kaho...'
Remembering to add भी (bhi). Learners often say Agar A, toh B and accidentally say 'If A, then B' when they meant 'Even if A, still B'.
Apprends d'abord ceci
Comprendre ces concepts t'aidera à maîtriser cette règle de grammaire.
Grammaire lie
Dvandva Compounds: Joining Two
Overview Welcome to the world of word power couples! In Hindi, we love efficiency. Why say "bread and butter" with a bor...
Hindi Abstract Nouns:
Overview Ready to level up your Hindi conversations? Abstract nouns are the secret sauce. They let you talk about ideas,...
Expressing Approximation: करीब
Overview Ever tried to guess how many jellybeans are in a jar? Or told a friend you'd be there in "five minutes" when yo...
Modern Hindi Neologisms:
Overview Welcome to the dynamic world of Modern Hindi Neologisms! At the C2 level, you aren't just learning words; you a...
Hindi Conjunct Verbs with Karn
Overview Welcome to one of the biggest vocabulary hacks in Hindi. Seriously, if you learn this pattern, you instantly un...
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement