Conjunctions / 连词
即使 vs 尽管
even if (hypothetical) vs despite (factual)
Comparison / 对比
| 即使 jíshǐ | 尽管 jǐnguǎn | |
|---|---|---|
| Reality | Hypothetical: may not be true | Factual: already true |
| Meaning | Even if (假设): hasn't happened yet | Despite (让步): already happened |
| Pair with | 即使…也… | 尽管…但是/还是… |
| Example | 即使下雨我也去 (even if it rains) | 尽管下着雨他还是去了 (despite the rain) |
Examples / 例句
即使: 即使明天下雪，我也要去上班。
Even if it snows tomorrow, I'll still go to work. (hypothetical — hasn't snowed yet)
尽管: 尽管外面下着大雨，他还是出门了。
Despite the heavy rain outside, he still went out. (factual — it IS raining)
Quick rule: 即使 = EVEN IF (hypothetical, 假设 — the situation has NOT happened yet or may not happen). 尽管 = DESPITE (factual, 事实 — the situation IS true or HAS happened). Check: has it happened? Yes → 尽管. Not yet / might not → 即使. This is one of the most tested distinctions at HSK 4.
Fill in the Blank / 填空练习
Type the correct word to complete each sentence. Press Enter or click Check.
明天下大雪，我们也要按时出发。
他已经很努力了，但结果还是不理想。
条件再差，我也不会放弃。
Quick Quiz / 小测验
价格再贵，这个东西我也要买。
Hypothetical (price might be high) → 即使.
他已经道歉了，她还是不肯原谅他。
He already apologized (factual) → 尽管.
困难再大，我们也不会放弃。
Hypothetical future difficulty → 即使.