即便 / 纵然 / 哪怕……也……jíbiàn / zòngrán / nǎpà…yě…

Even if / Even though: 即便 / 纵然 / 哪怕……也……

Meaning: Even if / Even though / No matter how... still...

Pattern

The trio "即便 / 纵然 / 哪怕……也……" all express hypothetical concession ("even if... still..."), similar to "即使" (HSK 5) but with distinct stylistic nuances:
(1) "即便" (jíbiàn): formal and written, virtually synonymous with "即使".
(2) "纵然" (zòngrán): highly literary and poetic, often appearing in essays or poetry with a resolute, dramatic tone.
(3) "哪怕

1
即便困难再大，我们也要坚持下去。
Jíbiàn kùnnán zài dà, wǒmen yě yào jiānchí xiàqù.
Even if the difficulties are greater still, we must persevere.
2
纵然失败一千次，他也不会放弃自己的梦想。
Zòngrán shībài yī qiān cì, tā yě bù huì fàngqì zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
Even though he might fail a thousand times, he would never give up his dream.
3
哪怕只有一线希望，我们也要全力以赴。
Nǎpà zhǐyǒu yīxiàn xīwàng, wǒmen yě yào quánlì yǐ fù.
Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, we will go all out.

•The main clause requires 也 / 还 / 都; 纵然 is highly literary, while 哪怕 often pairs with minimal extremes (哪怕只有…).

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Confusing 即便 with 虽然: 虽然 states an established fact, whereas 即便 introduces a hypothesis.

•Omitting 也/还/都 in the main clause: leaves the concessive structure uncorroborated.

•Using 纵然 in casual daily speech: sounds overly dramatic; use 就算 or 即使 instead.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 6 to master all skills together.