Even if: 即使……也
复句 / complex sentences
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
即使 + hypothesis，(Subject) + 也 + result
即使……也 (jíshǐ… yě) = "even if… still". You set up a hypothesis (often extreme) and say the result stays the same.
也 goes after the subject of the second clause.
Difference from 虽然……但是: 虽然 talks about a real fact ("although"); 即使 is a hypothesis ("even if"). 虽然下雨，我还是去了 (it really rained) / 即使下雨，我也去 (even if it rains, I'll go).
Examples
即使很忙，他也会给我打电话。
Jíshǐ hěn máng, tā yě huì gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.Even when he's really busy, he calls me.
即使我们不常见面，我们也是好朋友。
Jíshǐ wǒmen bù cháng jiànmiàn, wǒmen yě shì hǎo péngyou.Even if we don't meet often, we're still good friends.
即使你说对不起，她也不会原谅你。
Jíshǐ nǐ shuō duìbuqǐ, tā yě bú huì yuánliàng nǐ.Even if you apologise, she won't forgive you.
Common mistakes
✗ 即使下雨，我还去。 → 即使 pairs with 也. ✓ 即使下雨，我也去。
✗ 即使……但是…… → mixes two patterns. ✓ 即使……也…… or 虽然……但是……