就是…也…
even if; even (spoken)
Structure
就是 假设或极端情况 ， 主语 也 结果
What it means
“Even if, even”: the spoken twin of 即使…也…. 就是 sets up an imagined or extreme case, and 也 gives the result that holds anyway.
How it is built
就是 + case，subject + 也 + result: 就是下大雨，比赛也照常进行 (even if it pours, the match goes ahead). Or just a person: 就是四川人也不一定吃得了 (even a Sichuanese might not manage).
When to use it
Spoken; 即使 is the written choice. 也 (sometimes 都) sits after the subject of the second clause. Not every 就是 is this pattern: it also means “simply, exactly” (就是他), so look for the 也.
Watch out
Don’t use 就 in place of 也: ✗ 就是下雨，我就去。 ✓ 就是下雨，我也去。
Examples
就是下大雨，比赛也照常进行。
Even if it pours, the match will go ahead as usual.
这道菜太辣了，就是四川人也不一定吃得了。
This dish is so hot that even a Sichuanese might not manage it.
很多人就是辣得流眼泪，也舍不得放下筷子。
Plenty of people, even with tears in their eyes, cannot bring themselves to put down their chopsticks.
Learn this in Lesson 20 · HSK 5: 中国人什么时候开始吃辣 (When China learned to love chillies)
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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