即便
jí biàn HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

即便下雨,我们也要去。
Jíbiàn xià yǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù.
Even if it rains, we still have to go.
即便很忙,他也会帮忙。
Jíbiàn hěn máng, tā yě huì bāngmáng.
Even though he is busy, he will still help.
即便失败,我们也不放弃。
Jíbiàn shībài, wǒmen yě bù fàngqì.
Even if we fail, we will not give up.
即便下雨,我也去。
Jíbiàn xià yǔ, wǒ yě qù.
Even if it rains, I will go.
即便很贵,他买。
Jíbiàn hěn guì, tā mǎi.
Even though it's expensive, he buys it.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 即便 as 'even if' in a formal debate: break it down to 即 (jí, meaning 'even' or 'namely') and 便 (biàn, meaning 'then' or 'convenient'), so it's like saying 'even then'—highlighting that something holds true regardless. Associate it with sentences where you insist on a point despite obstacles.

📝 Usage Notes

即便 is formal and commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese, though it's more frequent in written contexts like essays, news, or formal speeches. It's suitable for expressing strong contrasts or concessions, often in argumentative or explanatory sentences. In informal speech, people might use simpler alternatives like '就算' or '哪怕'.

📖 Grammar Points

即便 is typically used in a '即便...也...' structure, where the part after 也 expresses the unchanged result or action. For example, '即便下雨,我们也要去' (Even if it rains, we still have to go). It can also be paired with '但' or '还是' to show contrast, though '也' is the most common pairing.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, using 即便 can convey a tone of reasonableness or persuasion, often in discussions about ethics, rules, or personal principles. It reflects a cultural emphasis on maintaining composure and rationality, as seen in the example about not hitting someone despite provocation.

🔄 Similar Words

即便 is similar to '即使' (jíshǐ) and '就算' (jiùsuàn), all meaning 'even if.' 即便 and 即使 are nearly interchangeable in formal writing, with 即使 being slightly more common. 就算 is more casual and often used in spoken Chinese. 即便 can sound slightly more literary or emphatic than 即使 in some contexts.

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