HSK 6
就算/就是...也...: Even If... in Chinese
就算 or 就是 introduces a hypothetical condition that the speaker grants for the sake of argument, while 也 marks a result that remains unchanged. The pattern often sounds conversational and emphatic. It overlaps with 即使...也..., but 就是 can also have other meanings, so the concessive relationship must come from the full sentence.
STRUCTURE
就算/就是 + Condition, 也 + Fixed Result
When to use 就算/就是…也… — and when not
Use it when
- To grant an unfavorable possibility: 就算失败了，我们也能学到东西。
- To emphasize a firm decision: 就是别人都反对，我也要试一试。
- To concede a high cost or effort: 就算多花一点时间，也值得。
Don't use it when
- For a neutral condition whose result changes with the condition; use 如果 instead.
- Do not stack 就算 and 也 before the hypothetical clause.
- Do not treat every 就是 as concessive; it can also mean 'is exactly,' 'namely,' or add emphasis in other structures.
Right vs. wrong
就算也失败了，我们能学到东西。
就算失败了，我们也能学到东西。
就算 and 也 are stacked before the hypothetical condition
就算 introduces the condition 失败了, while 也 belongs before the unchanged result 能学到东西.
就算失败了，也我们能学到东西。
就算失败了，我们也能学到东西。
也 is placed before the result-clause subject
When the result clause has the subject 我们, put it before the adverb 也.
Examples
就算失败了，我们也能学到东西。
Jiùsuàn shībài le, wǒmen yě néng xuédào dōngxi.
Even if we fail, we can still learn something.
就是别人都反对，我也要试一试。
Jiùshì biérén dōu fǎnduì, wǒ yě yào shì yi shì.
Even if everyone else objects, I still want to try.
就算多花一点时间，也值得。
Jiùsuàn duō huā yìdiǎn shíjiān, yě zhíde.
Even if it takes a little more time, it is worth it.
Common mistakes
就算也失败了，我们能学到东西。
Jiùsuàn yě shībài le, wǒmen néng xuédào dōngxi.
Move 也 to the result clause: 就算失败了，我们也能学到东西。
就算失败了，也我们能学到东西。
Jiùsuàn shībài le, yě wǒmen néng xuédào dōngxi.
Put the result-clause subject before 也: 我们也能学到东西。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 就算/就是…也… sentence and check that grammar point first.
就算/就是...也...: Even If... FAQ
What is the difference between 就算...也... and 即使...也...?
Both express hypothetical concession. 就算 is often more conversational and can sound like granting a point for argument, while 即使 is broader and may sound more neutral or written.
Can 就是 replace 就算 in this pattern?
Often yes in conversational concessive sentences, as in 就是下雨我也去. Because 就是 has other functions, use the surrounding condition and result to identify the intended reading.