即使⋯⋯也 (jíshǐ... yě) means "even if...still...." In this construction, the first clause (after 即使) is a supposition, which is then struck down as impossible by the second clause (after 也) of the statement.
Structure
即使 + Hypothetical Statement + 也 + Action
Examples
- 即使 领导 不 来，我们 也 要 照样 开会。 Even if the boss doesn't come, we will still have the meeting as usual.
- 你 即使 不 想 听，也 应该 假装 感兴趣。 Even if you don't want to listen, you still have to pretend to be interested.
- 即使 明天 下雨，我 也 要 出去 爬山。 Even if it's raining tomorrow, we're still going to go out hiking.
Note that the clause used after 即使 must be hypothetical, otherwise 虽然 should be used.
- 现在 虽然 是 高峰 期，我 也 要 出去。
- 现在 即使 是 高峰 期， 我 也 要 出去。
In the sentence above, it being rush hour is not a hypothetical statement, so it is incorrect to use 即使.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp.261-3)
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 63)
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 289)
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (p. 445)