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即便…也…

even if; even in the case of …

Structure
即便/哪怕/就算 极端的情况 , 也 结果

What it means

Even if; even in the case of …: imagines an extreme or unfavourable situation and says the result still holds.

How it is built

即便 + extreme case,(subject) + 也 + result: 即便下雨,比赛也照常进行 (Even if it rains, the match goes ahead). 也 comes after the subject of the second clause.

When to use it

Four near-synonyms by register: 即便 (written), 即使 (neutral), 就算 (spoken), 哪怕 (spoken, emotional, picks an extreme). The case can be real or imagined.

Watch out

Keep 也 after the subject: ✗ 即便下雨,也比赛照常进行 ✓ 即便下雨,比赛也照常进行. Don't pair it with 但是, which belongs with 虽然.

Examples

即便是偏远的山村,包裹也能在三五天内送到。
Even in a remote mountain village, a parcel arrives within three to five days.
哪怕只有一个观众,我也要把戏演完。
Even if there is only one person watching, I will finish the play.
Learn this in Lesson 54 · HSK 6: 电商、直播与快递 (E-commerce, livestreams and parcels)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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