Expressing "even if…" with "jishi"
Revision as of 07:50, 11 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)
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 你 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 都 要 出去，太 饿 了!
- 现在 即使 是 高峰期，也要 出去，太 饿 了!
In the sentence above, it being rush hour is not a hypothetical statement, so it is incorrect to use 即使.
Sources and further reading
Books
- 汉语语法百项讲练 pp.261-263
- New Practical Chinese Reader: Textbook 4 p.63
