尽管…但是…
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to connect two clauses with a strongly contrasting meaning, emphasizing surprise or difficulty.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The paired conjunction 尽管…但是… means "even though/despite… still/nevertheless…". It is used to express a strong contrast, typically when the result in the second clause occurs despite a difficult condition or obstacle stated in the first clause. The degree of contrast conveyed by 尽管 is stronger than that of 虽然. In many cases, 但是 can be replaced by 可是 or 不过.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 尽管下着大雨，但是他还是来了。繁: 儘管下著大雨，但是他還是來了。Jǐnguǎn xià zhe dàyǔ, dànshì tā háishì lái le.
Despite the heavy rain, he still came.
- 尽管任务很难，但是我一定会完成。繁: 儘管任務很難，但是我一定會完成。Jǐnguǎn rènwu hěn nán, dànshì wǒ yídìng huì wánchéng.
Although the task is very difficult, I will definitely complete it.
- 尽管她很累，但是她还继续工作。繁: 儘管她很累，但是她還繼續工作。Jǐnguǎn tā hěn lèi, dànshì tā hái jìxù gōngzuò.
Although she was very tired, she still continued to work.
- 尽管价格很贵，但是这款手机卖得很好。繁: 儘管價格很貴，但是這款手機賣得很好。Jǐnguǎn jiàgé hěn guì, dànshì zhè kuǎn shǒujī mài de hěn hǎo.
Although the price is very expensive, this model of mobile phone sells very well.
- 尽管我们失败了很多次，但是我们从不放弃。繁: 儘管我們失敗了很多次，但是我們從不放棄。Jǐnguǎn wǒmen shībài le hěn duō cì, dànshì wǒmen cóng bù fàngqì.
Although we failed many times, we never gave up.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:尽管今天天气不错，但是我不想出门。Correct:虽然今天天气不错，但是我不想出门。
When the contrast is not very strong, using 虽然 is more natural. 尽管 emphasizes difficulty or obstacles.
- Wrong:他很努力，尽管考试还是没及格。Correct:尽管他很努力，但是考试还是没及格。
尽管 typically stands at the beginning of the first clause to introduce a condition and does not appear in the second clause.