即使...也 (Even If...) in Chinese
即使…也
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.
Published July 13, 2026
Reviewed July 13, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
即使 + Concession, Subject + 也/还 + Predicate
Read the structure
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. Keep the model 即使 + Concession, Subject + 也/还 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
即使下雨，我们也出发。
Even if it rains, we will set out.
Choose the right context
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。
即使他不同意，我也会继续。
Even if he disagrees, I will continue.
Respect the boundary
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.
即使也下雨，我们出发。
(Even if it rains, we will set out.)
Repair the pattern
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. 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.
即使下雨，我们也出发。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
即使下雨，我们也出发。
Even if it rains, we will set out.
即使
即使
This part occupies the 即使 position in the model pattern.
下雨
Concession, Subject
This part occupies the Concession, Subject position in the model pattern.
，
也/还
This part occupies the 也/还 position in the model pattern.
我们
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
也
即使
This part occupies the 即使 position in the model pattern.
出发
Concession, Subject
This part occupies the Concession, Subject position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
即使下雨，我们也出发。
Even if it rains, we will set out.
即使他不同意，我也会继续。
Even if he disagrees, I will continue.
即使再忙，她也每天运动。
Even when extremely busy, she exercises every day.
你即使说错了，也没有关系。
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。
Even without a map, we will still find the place.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
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。
Do not 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.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
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.
即使也下雨，我们出发。
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。
Put 也 after the main-clause subject: 即使天气不好，我们也要出发。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 即使…也.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 即使…也. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
即使...也 (Even If...) Questions
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.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 即使…也
Supports the learner-facing account of where 即使…也 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 即使…也
Cross-checks the 即使 + Concession, Subject + 也/还 + Predicate pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 5 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 5; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
哪怕…也/还…哪怕...也... (nǎpà...yě)
Compare a neutral hypothetical concession with an extreme-case concession.
Easy to confuse
就算/就是…也…就算/就是...也...: Even If...
Contrast standard written concession with a more conversational alternative.
Compare
尽管…但是/可是…尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì)
Separate a hypothetical obstacle from an acknowledged real obstacle.
Easy to confuse
纵然…也…纵然...也...: Even Though
Compare a standard hypothetical concession with a more literary concessive frame.
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Easy to confuse
Compare a neutral hypothetical concession with an extreme-case concession.