固然…但是…
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
固然…但是… is used to acknowledge a fact in the first clause, while emphasizing a contrasting or more important point in the second clause.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 固然…但是… (although…but…) is used to acknowledge a certain viewpoint or fact (the 固然 clause), then introduce a contrasting or more important point (the 但是 clause).
It is more formal than 虽然...但是.... Using this structure makes your argument more objective and persuasive, as it shows you have considered the valid side of the issue before presenting your main point.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 学外语固然难，但是很有意思。繁: 學外語固然難，但是很有意思。Xué wàiyǔ gùrán nán, dànshì hěn yǒu yìsi.
Learning a foreign language is certainly difficult, but it is very interesting.
- 这部手机固然贵，但是功能很好。繁: 這部手機固然貴，但是功能很好。Zhè bù shǒujī gùrán guì, dànshì gōngnéng hěn hǎo.
This phone is certainly expensive, but its functions are very good.
- 他的意见固然有道理，但是不太实际。繁: 他的意見固然有道理，但是不太實際。Tā de yìjiàn gùrán yǒu dàolǐ, dànshì bú tài shíjì.
His opinion may be reasonable, but it is not very practical.
- 努力工作固然重要，但是健康更重要。Nǔlì gōngzuò gùrán zhòngyào, dànshì jiànkāng gèng zhòngyào.
Working hard is certainly important, but health is even more important.
- 一个人旅行固然自由，但是有点儿孤单。繁: 一個人旅行固然自由，但是有點兒孤單。Yí gè rén lǚxíng gùrán zìyóu, dànshì yǒudiǎnr gūdān.
Traveling alone is certainly free, but it's a bit lonely.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我喜欢苹果，固然我弟弟喜欢香蕉。Correct:我喜欢苹果，但是我弟弟喜欢香蕉。
固然 is used to concede an argument before refuting it, not for simple opposition between two matters.
- Wrong:这个方法固然好，实行起来很难。Correct:这个方法固然好，但是实行起来很难。
固然 typically pairs with 但是 or 可是 to form a complete conjunctive structure, emphasizing a shift in meaning.