Level 5 · Advanced
Even if: 哪怕 / 就算 …也
哪怕 / 就算 + Extreme Case，Subj. + 也 + Verb
哪怕 (nǎpà) and 就算 (jiùsuàn) both set up an extreme hypothetical and declare it changes nothing: 哪怕只有一点希望，我们也不能放弃 "even if there's only a sliver of hope, we can't give up."
They're the conversational cousins of 即使 — 就算 concedes a scenario for argument's sake ("even supposing…"), while 哪怕 leans dramatic, often with tiny quantities. All three need 也 (or 还/还是) in the main clause to push back.
Examples
哪怕只有一点希望，我们也不能放弃。
哪怕只有一點希望，我們也不能放棄。
nǎ pà zhǐ yǒu yī diǎn xī wàng wǒ men yě bù néng fàng qì
Even if there's only a sliver of hope, we can't give up.
哪怕下大雨，比赛也会继续。
哪怕下大雨，比賽也會繼續。
nǎ pà xià dà yǔ bǐ sài yě huì jì xù
Even if it pours, the match will go on.
就算你不喜欢他，也不应该这么说话。
就算你不喜歡他，也不應該這麼說話。
jiù suàn nǐ bù xǐ huan tā yě bù yīng gāi zhè me shuō huà
Even if you don't like him, you shouldn't talk like that.
就算再来一次，我还是会这么选。
就算再來一次，我還是會這麼選。
jiù suàn zài lái yī cì wǒ hái shi huì zhè me xuǎn
Even if I could do it over, I'd choose the same way.
Common mistakes
✗ 哪怕下大雨，比赛会继续。
✓ 哪怕下大雨，比赛也会继续。
The main clause needs 也 (or 还是) to answer the 哪怕 clause.
Related grammar points
Practice this pattern in graded stories like Pictures vs. Reality (Part 2), The Cost of War, The Girl Who Laughed (Part 2) inside the Literate Chinese app.
