Deep End
← Upper-Intermediate Chinese lessons
Lesson 1· 9 min

Even If: 即使…也

即使 + a supposed condition, 也 + a result that holds anyway -- and 哪怕, its stronger spoken twin.

即使…也: even if

即使 (jíshǐ) + condition, (subject +) 也 (yě) + result: the result holds whatever happens. 即使明天下雨，我们也要去。 (Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù.) (Even if it rains tomorrow, we're still going.)

Compare 如果…就 (if A, then B): 即使…也 says the condition won't change the outcome. The condition is usually a supposition, not a fact.

即使明天下雨，我们也要去。
Jíshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù. -- Even if it rains tomorrow, we're still going.
即使很累，他也每天跑步。
Jíshǐ hěn lèi, tā yě měitiān pǎobù. -- Even when he's tired, he runs every day.

Quick check

1. Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it:

哪怕: even if (spoken, stronger)

哪怕 (nǎpà) works like 即使 but is more emphatic and common in speech, often with an extreme: 哪怕只有一天，我也想去看看。 (Nǎpà zhǐ yǒu yì tiān, wǒ yě xiǎng qù kànkan.) 即便 (jíbiàn) is a written synonym of 即使.

也 is an adverb, so it goes after the subject: 我也去, never 也我去.

哪怕只有一天，我也想去看看。
Nǎpà zhǐ yǒu yì tiān, wǒ yě xiǎng qù kànkan. -- Even if it's just one day, I'd like to go and see.

Quick check

1. Where does 也 go?

Try it yourself

Write a sentence or two using what this lesson covered. Not graded -- just for you, saved so you can come back to it.

Pick with a tap, a number key or Space. A Chinese keyboard on your device works in the box below too.

Final review

0/18 answered across this lesson

1. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if you don't come, I'll wait for you.”

2. Which are correct? (Choose all that apply.)

Select all that apply.

3. What does she do every day?

4. 填空 · Complete (characters or pinyin).

明天下雪，我们也要出发。(Even if it snows tomorrow, we're setting off.)

5. 填空 · Complete (characters or pinyin).

即使你说对不起，我 不会原谅你。(Even if you apologise, I won't forgive you.)

6. 填空 · Complete (characters or pinyin).

哪怕只有十块钱，我也 给你。(Even if I only have ten kuai, I'll give it to you.)

7. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if it's expensive, I want to buy it.”

8. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if you don't help me, I can do it.”

9. Translate into English.

哪怕再累，他也不休息。 (Nǎpà zài lèi, tā yě bù xiūxi.)

10. Put the words in order.

Hint: “Even if I don't have time, I'll come.”

Tap words below in order

11. Insist on a short trip.

Say your answer out loud and record it, then compare it with the model.

Tip: nǎpà: a dip, then a fall.

12. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if it rains tomorrow, we're still going.”

13. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if I'm busy tomorrow, I'll call you.”

14. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if he's wrong, don't laugh at him.”

15. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

“Even if nobody comes, the class will start on time.”

16. You've just signed up for a half marathon next March, and your friends think training through the winter is a crazy idea. Write a diary entry (150–280 characters) about your decision: what could make the training hard, and why you'll keep going anyway.

  • 即使 + a supposed condition, 也 + a result that holds anyway
  • 哪怕…也 for the most extreme case
  • 再 + adjective + 也 for 'however …'

Pick with a tap, a number key or Space. A Chinese keyboard on your device works in the box below too.

0 characters · aim for 150–280

0/18