B2 morphology 3분 분량

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)
Agar barish ho toh bhi match hoga (The match will happen)
Chahe wo maafi maange toh bhi main nahin sununga (I won't listen)
Bhale hi ticket mehnga ho toh bhi hum kharidenge (We will buy it)
(None) Tum mana karo toh bhi wo aayega (He will come)
Chahe duniya idhar ki udhar ho jaye toh main wahin rahunga (I'll stay there)
Agar main haar jaun phir bhi koshish karunga (I'll try)

주요 예문

3 / 10
1

Agar tum gussa ho, **toh bhi** baat karni chahiye.

Even if you are angry, you should still talk.

2

**Chahe** jitni bhi der ho jaye, main **toh** intezaar karunga.

No matter how late it gets, *I* will wait.

3

**Bhale hi** wo amir hai, **toh kya** 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 agar, chahe, or bhale hi paired with our versatile friend toh (often as 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 toh here acts as the bridge, often strengthened with bhi (also/even) to mean "even then" or "still".

Formation Pattern

  1. 1There are two main flavors for B2 learners:
  2. 2The "Even If" (Hypothetical):
  3. 3Agar + [Subjunctive/Past Verb] + ..., + toh bhi + [Result].
  4. 4*Example:* Agar wo bulaye, toh bhi mat jaana. (Even if he calls, don't go.)
  5. 5The "No Matter What" (Defiant/Emphatic):
  6. 6Chahe / Bhale hi + [Subjunctive Verb] + ..., + (toh/phir) bhi + [Result].
  7. 7*Example:* Chahe kuch bhi ho, main toh yehi karunga. (No matter what happens, I will do exactly this.)
  8. 8*Note:* Sometimes 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 bhi: Using just toh can sometimes sound like a normal conditional. Toh bhi (even then) makes the concession clear.
  • Wrong Verb Mood: With chahe (no matter/whether), we often use the subjunctive (commands/wishes mood) because the situation might be hypothetical. Chahe wo aaye (Whether he comes...) vs Chahe wo aata hai (incorrect nuance).
  • Mixing Lekin (But): Learners often try to put lekin in the middle. Hindi prefers toh bhi or 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.
  • Halanki (Although): Used for facts (Halanki wo bimar tha... - Although he was sick...). Chahe/Agar... toh bhi is better for possibilities (Agar wo bimar ho... - Even if he gets sick...).

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I drop agar or 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 toh bhi the same as phir bhi?

Very similar. Phir bhi is "nevertheless" (stronger contrast). 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)
Agar barish ho toh bhi match hoga (The match will happen)
Chahe wo maafi maange toh bhi main nahin sununga (I won't listen)
Bhale hi ticket mehnga ho toh bhi hum kharidenge (We will buy it)
(None) Tum mana karo toh bhi wo aayega (He will come)
Chahe duniya idhar ki udhar ho jaye toh main wahin rahunga (I'll stay there)
Agar main haar jaun phir bhi 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.

예시

10
#1 Agar tum gussa ho, toh bhi baat karni chahiye.

Agar tum gussa ho, **toh bhi** baat karni chahiye.

Focus: toh bhi

Even if you are angry, you should still talk.

Standard advice scenario.

#2 Chahe jitni bhi der ho jaye, main toh intezaar karunga.

**Chahe** jitni bhi der ho jaye, main **toh** intezaar karunga.

Focus: Chahe

No matter how late it gets, *I* will wait.

Here 'toh' emphasizes the subject 'I' rather than 'still'.

#3 Bhale hi wo amir hai, toh kya hua?

**Bhale hi** wo amir hai, **toh kya** hua?

Focus: Bhale hi

Even if he is rich, so what?

Rhetorical question pattern.

#4 Agar boss chillaye bhi, toh bhi chup rehna.

Agar boss chillaye **bhi**, **toh bhi** chup rehna.

Focus: bhi

Even if the boss shouts, [even then] stay silent.

Double 'bhi' adds extra emphasis.

#5 Chahe kuch bhi kaho, main nahin manunga.

Chahe kuch bhi kaho, main nahin manunga.

Focus: Chahe

Say whatever you want, I won't agree.

Connector is implied/dropped (very common).

#6 Hum toh jayenge, chahe koi roke.

Hum **toh** jayenge, **chahe** koi roke.

Focus: toh

We will go for sure, even if someone stops us.

Inverted structure (Result first).

#7 Wrong: Agar barish hogi, lekin main jaunga. (✗) → Correct: Agar barish hogi, toh bhi main jaunga. (✓)

Agar barish hogi, **toh bhi** main jaunga.

Focus: toh bhi

Even if it rains, I will go.

Avoid 'lekin' in conditional structures.

#8 Wrong: Chahe wo aata hai, main ja raha hoon. (✗) → Correct: Chahe wo aaye, main ja raha hoon. (✓)

Chahe wo **aaye**, main ja raha hoon.

Focus: aaye

Whether he comes or not, I am going.

Use subjunctive (aaye) not indicative (aata hai) with Chahe.

#9 Yadi aap prayas karte rahenge, toh safalta milegi hi.

**Yadi** aap prayas karte rahenge, **toh** safalta milegi hi.

Focus: Yadi

If you keep trying, you will *definitely* get success.

Formal register using Yadi and emphatic 'hi'.

#10 Chahe tum mujhe bhool jao, main tumhe kabhi nahin bhoolunga.

Chahe tum mujhe bhool jao, main tumhe kabhi nahin bhoolunga.

Focus: Chahe

Even if you forget me, I will never forget you.

Classic Bollywood drama line.

셀프 테스트

Choose the best connector for the 'Even if' logic.

Agar tum thake ho, ___ kaam pura karna padega.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: toh bhi

'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'.

___ tum maafi mango, main maaf nahin karunga.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Chahe

'Chahe' expresses 'whether' or 'no matter'. 'Kyunki' is because, 'Jab' is when.

Complete the defiant sentence.

Bhale hi sab log mana karein, main ___ jaunga.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: phir bhi

'Phir bhi' (nevertheless/still) fits the defiance. 'Kyunki' (because) and 'Shayad' (maybe) don't fit the strong intent.

🎉 점수: /3

시각 학습 자료

Connector Showdown

Toh (Standard)
Dependencies If X happens, Y happens
Toh Bhi (Concessive)
Defiance Even if X happens, Y happens

Which 'Toh' to Use?

1

Does the result depend on the condition?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'Toh Bhi' / 'Phir Bhi' (Concessive)
2

Is it a simple cause-effect?

NO
Use standard 'Toh'

The Trio of Starts

🤔

Agar (If)

  • Neutral
  • Standard
🤷

Chahe (Whether)

  • Indifferent
  • Open-ended
😤

Bhale hi (Even though)

  • Strong
  • Emphatic

자주 묻는 질문

20 질문

It 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. Phir bhi literally means 'then also' or 'nevertheless'. It is often slightly stronger and more formal than toh bhi, but in daily life, they are twins.

No. You can start with 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.

Agar is neutral (If). Bhale hi is stronger (Even if / Although). Use Bhale hi when you want to highlight that the obstacle is significant.

Use Chahe. Chahe wo gussa ho... (Even if/Whether he is angry...). It's a great alternative to avoid repetitive Agar usage.

Grammatically, yes, some connector is expected. But in rapid speech, people might pause instead of saying toh. However, keep toh or toh bhi in your writing.

Toh phir usually means 'Then in that case'. In concessive sentences, Toh bhi (Then also) is the correct logic. Toh phir connects consequences, 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 bhi in the first clause adds emphasis to the condition itself.

Use Chahe kuch bhi ho or Kuch bhi ho jaye. Follow it with 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.

Yadi is just the formal version of 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.

Tab is strictly time-related (At that time). Jab... Tab.... Don't use Tab for logical conditions unless time is the main point.

Just Toh bhi or 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 bhi. Learners often say Agar A, toh B and accidentally say 'If A, then B' when they meant 'Even if A, still B'.

도움이 되었나요?
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!

무료로 언어 학습 시작하기

무료로 학습 시작