即便 (jíbiàn) — even if; even though
Reach for 即便 when you want to grant a hypothetical or admit a fact, then insist the main point still holds — 'even if X, still Y.' It's the literary, written-register cousin of 即使 and the more elevated alternative to spoken 就算. Common in essays, editorials, formal speeches, and any sentence where you want the contrast to carry weight without sounding casual.
Structure
即便 [CONDITION], 也 [RESULT]
jíbiàn... yě...
How to Think About It
即便 always wants 也 in the second half — the 也 means 'still / nevertheless,' and without it the concession floats with no resolution. The choice of 即便 over 即使 or 就算 is mainly about register: 就算 is conversational, 即使 is neutral-to-formal, and 即便 is reserved for writing and elevated speech. Picking the wrong one isn't ungrammatical, but it can clash with the rest of your sentence's tone.
Examples
即便失败, 我们也会再试一次。
Jíbiàn shībài, wǒmen yě huì zài shì yí cì.
Even if we fail, we will try again.
即便他不来, 会议也照常进行。
Jíbiàn tā bù lái, huìyì yě zhàocháng jìnxíng.
Even if he doesn't come, the meeting will proceed as usual.
即便条件再难, 他也从未放弃。
Jíbiàn tiáojiàn zài nán, tā yě cóngwèi fàngqì.
Even if conditions were extremely difficult, he never gave up.
Common Mistake
Learners pair 即便 with 但是 instead of 也, by importing the 'although...but...' frame. 即便 is concessive-hypothetical, not contrastive; it needs 也 to mean 'still does Y anyway.' Using 但是 strips out the 'nevertheless' and leaves a stranded condition.
即便下雨, 但是我们要去。
即便下雨, 我们也要去。
Don't Confuse With
即使...也...
Same meaning and same 也 partner; just slightly less literary than 即便. Use 即使 in regular writing and formal speech; reach for 即便 when the tone is elevated, editorial, or rhetorical.
就算...也...
Conversational version. 就算 fits in casual speech and informal writing; 即便 doesn't. If you'd say it to a friend over coffee, use 就算; if you're writing for publication, use 即便.
虽然...但是...
Concession-contrast for FACTS already established ('although it's raining...'). 即便 leans hypothetical and emphatic ('even if it were to rain...'). 虽然 admits something true; 即便 imagines a hard case.
Practice
___ 工作再忙, 他也坚持锻炼。 (fill in 'even if', formal)
Show answer
即便
即便价格上涨, 他们 ___ 不会放弃这个项目。
Show answer
也
Put in order: [即便 / 也 / 下雪 / 我们 / 出发 / 要]
Show answer
即便下雪, 我们也要出发。
Translate to Chinese: 'Even if the truth is harsh, we should face it.'
Show answer
即便真相残酷, 我们也应该面对。
Write one sentence about a commitment you'd keep under hard conditions, using 即便...也....
Show answer
Example answer: 即便没人支持, 我也会坚持做下去。 (Even if no one supports me, I will still keep doing it.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 即便 (jíbiàn) — even if; even though in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.