即便

• Pinyin: jí biàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 即 = 皀 + 卩 (on the verge of — conditional immediacy); 便 = 亻+ 更 (person + change — then/convenient)

Meaning

Even if; even though. A conjunction introducing a concessive conditional clause.

More formal than 就算 or 哪怕. Used in formal writing to introduce a hypothetical extreme case that would not change the conclusion: 即便A，也B. Common in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. Stresses unconditional resolution despite difficulty.

Examples

1. 即便面临重重技术障碍，研发团队依然坚定信念，决心在既定时间节点前完成核心模块的开发工作。 Even in the face of numerous technical obstacles, the R&D team remained firm in its conviction and was determined to complete development of the core module by the established deadline.
2. 即便拥有再多的物质财富，若缺乏内心的平静与精神的充实，人生终究难以获得真正意义上的幸福。 Even with enormous material wealth, if one lacks inner peace and spiritual fulfillment, life ultimately cannot achieve true happiness.
3. 合同明确规定，即便因不可抗力导致项目延期，乙方仍须在条件允许后的第一时间恢复施工。 The contract clearly stipulates that even if the project is delayed due to force majeure, Party B must resume construction at the earliest possible time once conditions permit.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, academic, argumentation

Tone: resolute

Do Say

• 即便短期内无法实现盈利，企业管理层仍坚持持续加大研发投入，以奠定长远竞争优势的坚实基础。(Even if profitability cannot be achieved in the short term, the company's management insists on continuing to increase R&D investment so as to lay a solid foundation for long-term competitive advantage.)
• 即便所有的外部条件都对我们不利，只要团队内部保持高度凝聚力和共同愿景，就没有克服不了的困难。(Even if all external conditions are unfavourable to us, as long as the team maintains strong internal cohesion and a shared vision, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome.)

Don't Say

• 即便是好天气，我也不去 — use 就算天气再好，我也不去 in speech; 即便 is for formal or written contexts, not casual refusals

Origin & History

即 (even at the point of/right there) + 便 (then/in that case)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal