net jei
Even if
Net jei means even if. It is jei with net (even) in front: Net jei lis, eisime (Even if it rains, we will go). The result does not change.
How It Works
1. The idea. A plain jei clause states a condition for its result. Net jei says the opposite: even if this happens, the result stays the same.
- Jei lis, neisime. (If it rains, we will not go.)
- Net jei lis, eisime. (Even if it rains, we will go.)
2. Choosing the tense. The tense works just as with jei:
- Future: Net jeigu pavėluosi, vis tiek ateik. (Even if you are late, come anyway.) English says are, but Lithuanian uses the future pavėluosi.
- Now or in general: Net jei ir klystu, noriu pabandyti. (Even if I am wrong, I want to try.)
- Unreal: Net jei turėčiau pinigų, tokio automobilio nepirkčiau. (Even if I had the money, I would not buy a car like that.) Both halves are in the conditional, as in Imagined Conditions.
3. Extra emphasis. The main clause often adds vis tiek (anyway): Net jei lis, vis tiek eisime. The small word ir after net jei adds weight too: net jei ir.
4. Net jei or nors? Net jei is for something that may or may not be true. For a real fact, use nors (although): Nors lijo, ėjome pasivaikščioti (Although it was raining, we went for a walk).
5. Order and comma. The net jei clause can come first or last. A comma always separates it: Neišduosiu paslapties, net jei labai prašysi.
Examples (5)
- Net jei lis, eisime.
Even if it rains, we will go.
Word by Word: Even if will-rain, will-go.
Lis is the future of lyti (to rain).
- Net jeigu pavėluosi, vis tiek ateik.
Even if you are late, come anyway.
- Net jei turėčiau pinigų, tokio automobilio nepirkčiau.
Even if I had the money, I would not buy a car like that.
An unreal situation, so both verbs are in the conditional.
- Neišduosiu paslapties, net jei labai prašysi.
I will not give away the secret, even if you beg me.
- Net jei ir klystu, noriu pabandyti.
Even if I am wrong, I want to try.
Ir after net jei adds emphasis.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense for a future condition.
Net jei rytoj lyja, eisime.Net jei rytoj lis, eisime.For this prediction about tomorrow’s weather, lis is the natural future form. The present lyja normally describes current or recurring rain.
Dropping jei.
Net lis, eisime.Net jei lis, eisime.Net alone means even. It cannot join two clauses. You need net jei or net jeigu.
Using net jei for a known fact.
Net jei vakar lijo, ėjome pasivaikščioti.Nors vakar lijo, ėjome pasivaikščioti.For the intended although reading, nors directly concedes that it rained. Net jei instead presents the rain as a condition, even if the speaker happens to know the facts.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Net jei presents a condition that does not change the result.
Related Patterns
- norsAlthough with Nors
Nors (although) is for real facts; net jei is for possible or imagined ones.
Level 3 - jei + conditionalImagined Conditions
For unreal situations, net jei takes the conditional, just like jei.
Level 4 - vis dėlto / vis tiekNevertheless and Anyway
Vis tiek (anyway) often appears in the main clause after net jei.
Level 4 - nors irEven Though with Nors Ir
Nors ir (even though) is the partner of net jei for real facts.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice net jei in Bubblegum
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