X 就算 ...，也 ...
Reach for this when you want to grant a hypothetical concession and still hold your ground — 'even if X happens, Y still holds.' The 就算 sets up a worst-case or extreme scenario; the 也 in the second clause says 'that wouldn't change anything.' It's stronger than 虽然 ('although') because the X here is hypothetical or extreme, not a fact you accept. Common in arguments, predictions, and pushback: 'Even if they release it, that doesn't mean the answer is out.'
Structure
就算 [HYPOTHETICAL CONCESSION]，[SUBJECT] 也 [RESULT]
jiùsuàn... yě...
How to Think About It
就算 means roughly 'let's just say even.' It opens a door to the strongest possible counter-scenario and immediately slams it with 也 — 'even granting that, still Y.' The pair must travel together: 就算 without 也 in the second half feels unfinished, like the speaker swung but didn't land the punch. Contrast with 虽然...但是...: that pair admits a real fact; 就算...也... entertains a hypothetical one.
Examples
就算下雨，我们也要去。
Jiùsuàn xiàyǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù.
Even if it rains, we're still going.
就算他不来，我也不在乎。
Jiùsuàn tā bù lái, wǒ yě bú zàihū.
Even if he doesn't come, I don't care.
就算你给我一百万，我也不卖。
Jiùsuàn nǐ gěi wǒ yī bǎi wàn, wǒ yě bú mài.
Even if you give me a million, I'm not selling.
Common Mistake
Learners pair 就算 with 但是 instead of 也, copying the 虽然...但是... habit. 就算's logical partner is 也 — it tracks the 'still / even so' meaning. 但是 is for actual contrast, not for hypothetical concession.
就算政府放出来，但是不代表答案出来了。
就算政府放出来，也不代表答案出来了。
Don't Confuse With
虽然...但是...
Concedes a REAL fact and then contrasts. Use 虽然 when X is true; use 就算 when X is a hypothetical or extreme 'even if.'
即使...也...
Near-synonym, slightly more formal/written. 即使...也 and 就算...也 mean the same thing — pick 就算 for speech and casual writing, 即使 for essays and news commentary.
哪怕...也...
Also means 'even if,' often used with extreme small or large hypotheticals ('哪怕只有一个人' = 'even if just one person'). Use 哪怕 when emphasizing the smallness/extremeness of X; use 就算 for general hypotheticals.
Practice
Fill in: ___下雨，我们也要去。
Show answer
就算
Fill in: 就算他不来，我___不在乎。
Show answer
也
Arrange: 也 / 我们 / 下雨 / 就算 / 要去 / ，
Show answer
就算下雨，我们也要去。
Translate: Even if you're right, I still don't agree.
Show answer
就算你对，我也不同意。
Write one sentence using 就算...，也... showing a stance you won't change.
Show answer
就算很难，我也要学下去。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear X 就算 ...，也 ... in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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