X也得X，不X也得X · 说什么也得
must, like it or not; whatever happens, … has to …
Structure
动词 + 也得 + 动词 ，不 + 动词 + 也得 + 动词 · 说什么／怎么（着） + 也得 + 动词
What it means
“Must, like it or not”: whatever happens, someone has to do it. Here 得 is děi, “must”.
How it is built
Verb + 也得 + verb，不 + verb + 也得 + verb: 这个会你去也得去，不去也得去 (you’re going to this meeting, like it or not). Or 说什么／怎么（着）也得 + verb: 朋友结婚，我说什么也得去.
When to use it
Strong and a little bossy, so it is for family and friends, often as a joke, for example when pushing a drink on someone. 说什么也得 can also show your own determination: 我说什么也得去.
Watch out
Read 得 as děi, not de. Use the same verb all four times: 去也得去，不去也得去. Too pushy for a boss or a stranger.
Examples
这个会你去也得去，不去也得去。
You’re going to this meeting whether you like it or not.
朋友结婚，我说什么也得去。
A friend is getting married: whatever happens, I have to go.
奶奶生日，你怎么着也得回来一趟。
It’s Grandma’s birthday: one way or another, you have to come home.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 16: 亲戚 (Meeting the relatives)
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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