Literary Concession with 饶是...也
饶是...也 is a literary concession meaning 'even though/despite being,' used for emphasis in formal writing.
Pattern
饶是 + Condition, 也/还是 + Result
Explanation
饶是...也 is an elevated concessive construction meaning 'even if one is/even though.' It emphasizes that despite an impressive or extreme condition, the result still holds. The word 饶 here means 'even if/despite' rather than its common meaning of 'forgive' or 'abundant.'
This pattern is distinctly literary and appears in novels, essays, and formal speeches. It often precedes descriptions of someone's exceptional qualities that still prove insufficient. In modern usage, it can be replaced by 即便是...也 without loss of meaning, though with less stylistic flair.
Examples
饶是他经验丰富，也难免犯错。
Ráo shì tā jīngyàn fēngfù, yě nánmiǎn fàncuò.
Even though he is very experienced, mistakes are still inevitable.
饶是铁石心肠，见此情景也会动容。
Ráo shì tiěshí xīncháng, jiàn cǐ qíngjǐng yě huì dòngróng.
Even someone with a heart of stone would be moved by this scene.
饶是天资聪颖，不努力也枉然。
Ráo shì tiānzī cōngyǐng, bù nǔlì yě wǎngrán.
Even with natural talent, without effort it's all in vain.
Common Mistakes
饶是下雨，我也去了。
即使下雨，我也去了。
饶是 is typically followed by a description of a person's quality or state, not a weather event. Use 即使 for general conditions.
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