即使…也…
even if …, still …
Structure
即使 假设或让步 ， 也／仍然 结果
What it means
“Even if …, still …”: concedes something supposed or extreme, and says the result holds anyway.
How it is built
即使 + supposition，也／仍然 + result: 即使明天下雨，比赛也照常进行 (Even if it rains tomorrow, the match will go ahead). 也 goes after the second subject.
When to use it
即使 concedes something supposed or extreme; 虽然 concedes a plain fact. 即使 is more formal; spoken versions are 就算 and 哪怕.
Watch out
It pairs with 也, never 但是: ✗ 即使下雨，但是比赛照常进行。 ✓ 即使下雨，比赛也照常进行。
Examples
即使有人批评高考，多数人仍然认为它最公平。
Even if some criticise the gaokao, most people still think it the fairest way.
即使明天下雨，比赛也照常进行。
Even if it rains tomorrow, the match will go ahead.
Learn this in Lesson 7 · HSK 5: 高考 (The college entrance exam)
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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