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HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 5 min read

Like It or Not with X也得X，不X也得X

Say that something must be done whether anyone wants to or not, as in 去也得去，不去也得去.

Pattern

verb + 也得 + verb，不 + verb + 也得 + verb

Whether you do or don’t want to, the answer is the same: 不去也得去.

这药很苦，可是你吃也得吃，不吃也得吃。

When to use Like It or Not with X也得X，不X也得X

X也得X，不X也得X means “you have to do X, like it or not”: 去也得去，不去也得去. The same verb fills every slot; 也 means “either way” and 得, read děi, means “must”. It sounds firm and leaves no choice, so it is typical of parents, teachers, or someone talking to themselves about a chore.

明天的会你来也得来，不来也得来。

You have to come to tomorrow’s meeting, whether you want to or not.

作业不写也得写，明天就要交了。

The homework has to be done either way; it’s due tomorrow.

这个周末学校有活动，我们想去也得去，不想去也得去。

The school has an event this weekend; we have to go whether we want to or not.

你愿意也得去，不愿意也得去。

You’re going whether you’re willing or not.

Common traps

  • Don’t drop 也: 不去也得去, not 不去得去.
  • Use 不, not 没, because it’s about a choice now or ahead: 不去也得去, not 没去也得去.
  • Read 得 as děi (“must”) here, not de: 不吃也得 (děi) 吃.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

累也 继续做

Even if we are tired, we still have to continue
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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