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HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min read

说什么也得... and 怎么也得... for “Must, No Matter What”

Use 说什么也得 and 怎么(着)也得 to say something has to happen whatever stands in the way.

Pattern

说什么 / 怎么(着)+ 也得 + verb phrase

说什么也得 shows firm determination; 怎么(着)也得 also means “must, whatever happens” and often names the least that must happen.

奶奶过生日,我说什么也得回家。

When to use 说什么也得... and 怎么也得... for “Must, No Matter What”

说什么也得 + verb says you must do something no matter what anyone says or what gets in the way. It often comes from a promise, a duty or a special occasion, and it sounds firm and personal.

明天的考试很重要,我说什么也得去。

Tomorrow’s exam is important; I have to go no matter what.

他帮了我这么大的忙,我怎么也得请他吃顿饭。

He helped me so much; the least I can do is treat him to a meal.

从这儿到机场,怎么也得一个小时。

It takes at least an hour to get from here to the airport.

这本书这么厚,怎么也得看一个星期。

This book is so thick that it will take at least a week to read.

Common traps

  • 得 here is pronounced děi and means “must”; don’t write 的 or 地.
  • Keep 也 between 说什么 / 怎么 and 得: say 说什么也得去, not 说什么得去.
  • With a time or an amount, 怎么也得 means “at least,” not that someone has a duty.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这么多作业, 也得写三个小时

With this much homework, it will take at least three hours to finish
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