就算 is a conjunction meaning 'even if' or 'even though'. It introduces a concessive clause — a condition or situation that might be expected to prevent the main clause from happening, but does not. Literally, 就 means 'just' or 'exactly', and 算 means 'to consider' or 'to reckon'; together, they convey the sense of 'even considering that...' or 'even taking that as given...'. It’s commonly used in spoken and written Chinese to express strong concession, often with a tone of resignation, determination, or emphasis.

This word typically appears at the beginning of a subordinate clause, followed by a comma or no punctuation, before the main clause. It frequently pairs with modal verbs (e.g., 也, 还, 都) in the main clause to reinforce the contrast — for example, 就算...也... ('even if..., still...'). It’s neutral in register and widely appropriate across contexts, from casual conversation to formal writing.