然而
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
然而 is a conjunction connecting two clauses with contrasting meanings, equivalent to "however" in written language.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
然而 is a formal conjunction (连词) used to introduce an idea or fact that contrasts with what has just been mentioned. It is equivalent to 'however' or 'yet' in English and is typically used in written language or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation. It emphasizes contrast more strongly than 但是.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他学习很努力，然而成绩不太好。繁: 他學習很努力，然而成績不太好。Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, rán'ér chéngjì bú tài hǎo.
He studies very hard, yet his grades are not very good.
- 这个计划听起来很好，然而实行起来很难。繁: 這個計劃聽起來很好，然而實行起來很難。Zhège jìhuà tīng qǐlái hěn hǎo, rán'ér shíxíng qǐlái hěn nán.
This plan sounds very good, however it is difficult to implement in practice.
- 大家都说他会赢，然而他输了。繁: 大家都說他會贏，然而他輸了。Dàjiā dōu shuō tā huì yíng, rán'ér tā shū le.
Everyone said he would win, yet he lost.
- 他的话很有道理，然而我不能同意。繁: 他的話很有道理，然而我不能同意。Tā de huà hěn yǒu dàolǐ, rán'ér wǒ bù néng tóngyì.
His words make a lot of sense, however I cannot agree.
- 这座城市很美，然而交通太堵了。繁: 這座城市很美，然而交通太堵了。Zhè zuò chéngshì hěn měi, rán'ér jiāotōng tài dǔ le.
This city is very beautiful, however the traffic is too congested.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我想去，然而我没时间。Correct:我想去，但是我没时间。
然而 has a formal tone and is used in written language. In everyday conversation, 但是 or 可是 would be more natural.
- Wrong:我吃完饭，然而看电视。Correct:我吃完饭，然后看电视。
然而 (however) indicates contrast, while 然后 (then) indicates temporal sequence. These two words have completely different meanings.