即使…也…
HSK 4- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 即使…也… is used to express concession, carrying the meaning 'even if/even though… still/nevertheless…'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used to introduce a hypothetical or conditional situation (often extreme or unlikely), and to assert that the result in the following clause remains unchanged. 即使 means "even if" or "even though," while 也 emphasizes "still" or "also." This structure expresses determination or an unchangeable fact regardless of the condition.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 即使汉语很难，我也要学。繁: 即使漢語很難，我也要學。Jíshǐ hànyǔ hěn nán, wǒ yě yào xué.
Even though Chinese is very difficult, I still want to learn it.
- 即使明天下雨，我们也要去上班。繁: 即使明天下雨，我們也要去上班。Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù shàngbān.
Even if it rains tomorrow, we still have to go to work.
- 即使你不同意，我也要这么做。繁: 即使你不同意，我也要這麼做。Jíshǐ nǐ bù tóngyì, wǒ yě yào zhème zuò.
Even if you don't agree, I will do it anyway.
- 即使失败了，我也不会放弃。繁: 即使失敗了，我也不會放棄。Jíshǐ shībài le, wǒ yě bú huì fàngqì.
Even if I fail, I will not give up.
- 即使工作再忙，他也要回家吃饭。繁: 即使工作再忙，他也要回家吃飯。Jíshǐ gōngzuò zài máng, tā yě yào huí jiā chīfàn.
No matter how busy the work is, he still wants to go home to eat.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:即使他很忙，但是他会来。Correct:即使他很忙，他也会来。
This structure uses 也 in the second clause to emphasize unchanging circumstances; 但是 is not used.
- Wrong:即使下大雨，我来上课。Correct:即使下大雨，我也来上课。
也 is a required component in this structure to connect two parts of the sentence and cannot be omitted.