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 / 10Agar tum gussa ho, **toh bhi** baat karni chahiye.
Even if you are angry, you should still talk.
**Chahe** jitni bhi der ho jaye, main **toh** intezaar karunga.
No matter how late it gets, *I* will wait.
**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
- 1There are two main flavors for B2 learners:
- 2The "Even If" (Hypothetical):
- 3
Agar+ [Subjunctive/Past Verb] +..., +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
Chahe/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
tohsits 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 justtohcan 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...) vsChahe wo aata hai(incorrect nuance). - Mixing
Lekin(But): Learners often try to putlekinin the middle. Hindi preferstoh bhiorphir bhifor 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 bhiis 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
10Agar tum gussa ho, **toh bhi** baat karni chahiye.
Focus: toh bhi
Even if you are angry, you should still talk.
Standard advice scenario.
**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'.
**Bhale hi** wo amir hai, **toh kya** hua?
Focus: Bhale hi
Even if he is rich, so what?
Rhetorical question pattern.
Agar boss chillaye **bhi**, **toh bhi** chup rehna.
Focus: bhi
Even if the boss shouts, [even then] stay silent.
Double 'bhi' adds extra emphasis.
Chahe kuch bhi kaho, main nahin manunga.
Focus: Chahe
Say whatever you want, I won't agree.
Connector is implied/dropped (very common).
Hum **toh** jayenge, **chahe** koi roke.
Focus: toh
We will go for sure, even if someone stops us.
Inverted structure (Result first).
Agar barish hogi, **toh bhi** main jaunga.
Focus: toh bhi
Even if it rains, I will go.
Avoid 'lekin' in conditional structures.
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.
**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'.
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.
'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.
'Chahe' expresses 'whether' or 'no matter'. 'Kyunki' is because, 'Jab' is when.
Complete the defiant sentence.
Bhale hi sab log mana karein, main ___ jaunga.
'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
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
자주 묻는 질문
20 질문It 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'.
관련 문법 규칙
Colloquial Reduplication
Overview Ever heard someone ask if you want `chai-wai`? No, `wai` isn't a secret exotic tea blend. It’s Hindi’s way of a...
Hindi Reduplication:
Overview Welcome to the wonderful world of saying things twice! In Hindi, repeating a word isn't a stutter—it's a superp...
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,...
Hindi Agent Nouns:
Overview Imagine a magical suffix that turns almost any word into a person or a specific thing. That is the power of Age...
댓글 (0)
로그인하여 댓글 달기무료로 언어 학습 시작하기
무료로 학습 시작