Using 就是……，也…… to Express Concession

Meaning: the outcome holds despite an obstacle

This pattern makes a concession: the speaker acknowledges a condition that might normally count against an outcome, then emphasizes that the outcome remains true anyway. In English, the relation often resembles “even if …, still …” or “no matter that …, … still ….” The condition does not cause the outcome; it is presented as an obstacle that fails to prevent it. The outline lists 就是……，也…… as an HSK 4 concessive compound-sentence pattern. This identifies the teaching scope and level, not which exam version is currently administered at any test centre.

The first clause names a possible difficulty; the second states what the speaker or another person will still do. In the example, rain might disrupt a departure, but the plan remains unchanged. A useful reading check is to ask: “Would this condition normally make the result harder or less likely?” If yes, and the second clause says the result nevertheless holds, the concessive relation is clear.

Formation and word order

就是 introduces the conceded condition. In the second clause, put an expressed subject before 也 and the predicate after it: 我们也要按计划出发. A clear shared subject can be omitted. Modal verbs such as 要、会、能 or 得 often follow 也 here, but choose them according to meaning rather than treating any one as compulsory.

When it fits, including questions

Use the pattern when you want to acknowledge a real or imagined drawback and make clear that it does not change the result, decision, habit, or ability you are discussing. The condition can be a situation, such as having no time, or a quality, such as a dish being somewhat expensive. Give the reader enough context to understand why the first clause could count as an obstacle.

The pattern can also appear in a question. The example asks whether arriving on time remains possible even if traffic is bad. Here, the overall sentence is a question, but the relation between its clauses is still concessive. A question mark does not turn the first clause into a question on its own.

A useful contrast: 即使……，也……

就是……也…… and 即使……也…… can both mean “even if …, still …”. 就是 is common in conversational concession; 即使 is also natural in careful speech and writing. Compare 就是下雨，我们也要出发 and 即使下雨，我们也要出发. Other uses differ: 这就是答案 identifies “this is exactly the answer,” and 我想去，就是没时间 uses 就是 for a reservation, “I want to go, but I have no time.” Those are not the concessive frame here.

• Use 就是 before the condition and 也 in the outcome clause when you want to practice the target pattern.
• Use a clear contrast between the condition and the outcome; if the second clause simply reports a consequence of the first, a concessive reading is unlikely.
• When comparing with 即使……，也……, describe their broad meaning as overlapping, but avoid claiming that one can always replace the other.

Frequently asked questions