Expressing "even if…" with "jishi"

即使...也(jíshǐ) means "even if...still...". In this construction, the first statement is a supposition, which is then disregarded by the last statement.

即使 + hypothetical statement + 也 + action.

Here are some examples:

• 即使 领导 不 来，我们 也 要 照样 开会。
• 你 即使 不 想 听，也 应该 假装 感兴趣。
• 明天 即使 下雨，我 也 要 出去 爬山。

Note that the clause used after 即使 must be hypothetical, otherwise 虽然 should be used.

For example:

• 现在 虽然 是 高峰期，但 无论如何 我 都 要 出去。
• 现在 即使 是 高峰期， 也要 出去。

In the sentence above, it being rush hour is not a hypothetical statement, so it is incorrect to use 即使.

See also

• Expressing "Even if…" with "jiusuan"
• Expressing "Even if…" with "napa"
• Expressing "Even if…" with "jiushi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp.261-3) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 63) →buy