HSK 4
即使……也……
jíshǐ…… yě……
even if…, still…
Structure
即使 + Condition/Hypothesis + (也) + Result/Action
How it works
This conjunction structure is used to express a hypothetical situation and its result. It indicates that even if a certain condition were to occur, the outcome or decision expressed in the second clause would remain unchanged.
Examples
即使明天下雨，我也会去参加面试。
Jíshǐ míngtiān xiàyǔ, wǒ yě huì qù cānjiā miànshì.
Even if it rains tomorrow, I will still go to the interview.
即使你不告诉我，我最终也会知道的。
Jíshǐ nǐ bù gàosù wǒ, wǒ zuìzhōng yě huì zhīdào de.
Even if you don't tell me, I will eventually find out anyway.
即使工作很忙，我也要坚持锻炼身体。
Jíshǐ gōngzuò hěn máng, wǒ yě yào jiānchí duànliàn shēntǐ.
Even if work is very busy, I must persist in exercising.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to include '也' in the second clause; learners often try to use '但是' or '还是' instead, but '也' is the standard partner for '即使'.
Tip
Think of '即使' as 'even if' (hypothetical), whereas '虽然' is 'although' (factual). Use '即使' when talking about conditions that might not have happened yet.
More HSK 4 grammar
See 即使……也…… in real Chinese
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