HSK 5
即使...也 (Even If...) in Chinese
即使...也... introduces a hypothetical concession: even if the first clause becomes true, the second result remains unchanged. 即使 marks the conceded condition; 也, 还, or 还是 commonly appears before the main predicate. It differs from 尽管, which usually concedes an actual fact, though real usage is not limited to one rigid contrast.
STRUCTURE
即使 + Concession, Subject + 也/还 + Predicate
When to use 即使…也 — and when not
Use it when
- When a possible obstacle will not change the result: 即使下雨，我们也出发。
- With 再 to test an extreme degree: 即使再忙，她也每天运动。
- With 还 or 还是 in the main clause: 即使没有地图，我们还是会找到那里。
Don't use it when
- To state a simple condition whose result changes with it — use 如果...就 instead.
- With 也 inside the 即使 clause — the matching adverb belongs in the main clause.
- With 也 before the main-clause subject — say 我们也出发, not 也我们出发.
Right vs. wrong
即使也下雨，我们出发。
即使下雨，我们也出发。
也 placed inside the 即使 clause
即使 introduces the conceded condition. The matching 也 belongs in the main clause before its predicate: 我们也出发.
即使天气不好，也我们要出发。
即使天气不好，我们也要出发。
也 placed before the main-clause subject
In the main clause, 也 is an adverb before the predicate 要出发, not before the subject 我们. Use 我们 + 也 + 要出发.
Examples
即使下雨，我们也出发。
Jíshǐ xià yǔ, wǒmen yě chūfā.
Even if it rains, we will set out.
即使他不同意，我也会继续。
Jíshǐ tā bù tóngyì, wǒ yě huì jìxù.
Even if he disagrees, I will continue.
即使再忙，她也每天运动。
Jíshǐ zài máng, tā yě měitiān yùndòng.
Even when extremely busy, she exercises every day.
你即使说错了，也没有关系。
Nǐ jíshǐ shuō cuò le, yě méiyǒu guānxi.
Even if you say it incorrectly, it does not matter.
即使没有地图，我们还是会找到那里。
Jíshǐ méiyǒu dìtú, wǒmen háishì huì zhǎodào nàli.
Even without a map, we will still find the place.
Common mistakes
即使也下雨，我们出发。
Jíshǐ yě xià yǔ, wǒmen chūfā.
Move 也 to the main clause before its predicate: 即使下雨，我们也出发。
即使天气不好，也我们要出发。
Jíshǐ tiānqì bù hǎo, yě wǒmen yào chūfā.
Put 也 after the main-clause subject: 即使天气不好，我们也要出发。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 即使…也 sentence and check that grammar point first.
即使...也 (Even If...) FAQ
How does 即使...也 work?
即使 introduces a hypothetical obstacle or extreme case. The main clause says its result remains unchanged, commonly with 也, 还, or 还是 before the predicate.
What is the difference between 即使 and 尽管?
即使 usually asks you to suppose a case: even if it happens, the result stands. 尽管 usually concedes a fact already treated as true. This is a useful tendency, not an exceptionless law.
Must the second clause use 也?
Not always. 也 is the standard pair, while 还 and 还是 also occur. What matters is that the main clause expresses a result unaffected by the concession.