Expressing "even if…" with "jishi"

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即使...也 (jíshǐ... yě) means "even if...still...." In this construction, the first clause (after 即使) is a supposition, which is then struck down as impossible by the second clause (after 也) of the statement.

Structure

即使 + hypothetical statement + 也 + action.

Examples

  • 即使 领导 不 来,我们 要 照样 开会。Even if the boss doesn't come, we will still have the meeting as usual.
  • 即使 不 想 听, 应该 假装 感兴趣。Even if you don't want to listen, you still have to pretend to be interested.
  • 即使 明天 下雨,我 要 出去 爬山。Even if it's raining tomorrow, we're still going to go out hiking.

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

  • 现在 虽然 是 高峰 期,我 要 出去。
  • 现在 即使 是 高峰 期, 我 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

Sources and further reading

Books