即使

jíshǐ

conjunction HSK 5 #885

Meanings

即使下雨，我们也要出去。

Jíshǐ xiàyǔ, wǒmen yě yào chūqù.

Even if it rains, we still want to go out.

即使失败了，也不要放弃。

Jíshǐ shībài le, yě búyào fàngqì.

Even if you fail, don't give up.

即使他不来，会议也会照常进行。

Jíshǐ tā bù lái, huìyì yě huì zhàocháng jìnxíng.

Even if he doesn't come, the meeting will proceed as usual.

grammar

即使…也… is the standard pattern. 也 is required in the main clause. Similar to 就算…也… (more colloquial) and 纵使…也… (more literary).

usage

即使 (even if, hypothetical) vs 虽然 (although, factual). 即使下雨 = even if it rains (might not); 虽然下雨 = although it's raining (it is).

即 jí

使 shǐ