-sa ham
Even if
Verb + -sa + person ending + ham = even if, even though: yogʻsa ham (even if it rains), charchasam ham (even if I'm tired).
How It Works
1. Building the form
Use the -sa form with its person ending, then ham:
- borsam ham (even if I go), borsang ham, borsa ham, borsak ham, borsangiz ham
- negative: kelmasa ham (even if he doesn't come)
- with a noun or adjective: qimmat boʻlsa ham (even if it is expensive)
A comma usually follows the -sa ham clause.
2. Even if or even though
The main clause tells you which one. A future or general main clause gives even if: Yomgʻir yogʻsa ham, boraman (I'll go even if it rains). A past main clause gives even though: Qimmat boʻlsa ham, oldim (I bought it even though it was expensive). For a finished event in the first clause, use -gan boʻlsa ham: Koʻp oʻqigan boʻlsa ham, imtihondan oʻta olmadi (Even though she had studied a lot, she couldn't pass the exam).
3. Keep ham
Without ham you have a plain if-clause: Qimmat boʻlsa, olmayman (If it's expensive, I won't buy it). The small word ham turns if into even if.
4. Related forms
Garchi can open the clause to stress the contrast, and formal writing often uses -sa-da. A question word with boʻlsa ham means -ever: nima boʻlsa ham (whatever happens).
Examples (6)
- Yomgʻir yogʻsa ham, boraman.
I'll go even if it rains.
Word by Word: Rain if-rains even, I-will-go.
- Qimmat boʻlsa ham, bu koʻylakni oldim.
I bought this dress even though it was expensive.
Word by Word: Expensive if-is even, this dress-(obj.) bought-I.
- Charchasam ham, bugun uy vazifamni tugataman.
Even if I'm tired, I'll finish my homework today.
Word by Word: If-tired-I even, today homework-my-(obj.) I-will-finish.
The person ending goes on -sa: charchasam.
- U kelmasa ham, biz boshlaymiz.
Even if he doesn't come, we'll start.
Word by Word: He if-not-come even, we will-start.
- Oʻzbek tili qiyin boʻlsa ham, uni oʻrganish juda qiziq.
Even though Uzbek is hard, learning it is very interesting.
Word by Word: Uzbek language hard if-is even, it-(obj.) learning very interesting.
- Koʻp oʻqigan boʻlsa ham, imtihondan oʻta olmadi.
Even though she had studied a lot, she couldn't pass the exam.
Word by Word: Much studied if-is even, exam-from couldn't-pass.
-gan boʻlsa ham concedes a finished event.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out ham.
Qimmat boʻlsa, bu koʻylakni oldim.Qimmat boʻlsa ham, bu koʻylakni oldim.Without ham the clause means if it is expensive, which does not fit a past main clause. Ham turns it into even though.
Leaving the person ending off -sa.
Men charchasa ham, ishlayman.Men charchasam ham, ishlayman.The -sa form needs its person ending. Charchasa ham means even if he or she is tired.
Using an ordinary tense instead of -sa.
Yomgʻir yogʻadi ham, boraman.Yomgʻir yogʻsa ham, boraman.Ham alone cannot make a concession from a normal verb. The first clause needs the -sa form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on If: -sa and Also, Too.
Related Patterns
- garchi ... -sa hamAlthough: Garchi
Adds garchi at the start of the clause to stress the contrast, especially in writing.
Level 5 - kim boʻlsa hamWhoever, Whatever
Question words with boʻlsa ham mean whoever, whatever and wherever.
Level 4 - -gani bilanAlthough: -gani Bilan
Another way to say although, built on -gan plus a possessive and bilan.
Level 5 - -masaUnless, If Not
The negative if-form, which also combines with ham: kelmasa ham (even if he doesn't come).
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -sa ham in Bubblegum
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