任…，也…
no matter how …, still …; let … do what it will
Structure
任 （人／事物）＋怎么／再＋动词／形容词 ， （主语） 也／都 结果
What it means
任 (or 任凭) means “let, allow”: whatever someone or something does, the outcome stays the same. “No matter how…, still…”.
How it is built
任 + person/force + 怎么／再 + verb/adjective，(subject) + 也／都 + result: 任你怎么劝，他也不肯改主意 (however you try to persuade him, he won’t budge). Or a four-character phrase: 任风吹雨打.
When to use it
Slightly literary; in speech 不管…都… is more common. Unlike 无论, it is usually followed by a person or force plus 怎么 or 多 (任他再聪明).
Watch out
The main clause needs 也 or 都: ✗ 任你怎么说，他不听。 ✓ 任你怎么说，他也不听。 Don’t confuse it with 任何 (any): 任何人都… = anyone at all.
Examples
任风吹雨打，我也披一件蓑衣，照样过我的一生。
Let the wind blow and the rain beat down: I will wrap myself in a straw cape and live my life just the same.
任你怎么劝，他也不肯改主意。
However hard you try to talk him round, he won’t change his mind.
这扇门太紧了，任我怎么推都推不开。
This door is stuck fast: push as I might, it won’t open.
Learn this in Lesson 92 · HSK 6–7: 苏东坡的宋朝 (Su Dongpo’s Song dynasty)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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