仍然 / 依然
HSK 4- Time
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Adverbs 仍然 and 依然 are used to express that a situation continues unchanged; they carry a more formal register than 还.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
仍然 (réngrán) and 依然 (yīrán) are both adverbs meaning "still" or "as before." They describe a state or action that remains unchanged despite altered circumstances or the passage of time.
The two words are largely interchangeable, but both are more formal than 还 (still). 仍然 and 依然 tend to appear in written language or contexts requiring a formal register. 依然 occasionally carries a slightly more literary or nostalgic tone.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 虽然下雨了，他仍然去上班。繁: 雖然下雨了，他仍然去上班。Suīrán xià yǔ le, tā réngrán qù shàngbān.
Although it rained, he still went to work.
- 很多年过去了，我依然记得他。繁: 很多年過去了，我依然記得他。Hěn duō nián guòqù le, wǒ yīrán jìde tā.
Many years have passed, and I still remember him.
- 他三十岁了，却仍然是单身。繁: 他三十歲了，卻仍然是單身。Tā sānshí suì le, què réngrán shì dānshēn.
He is already thirty years old, yet he remains single.
- 尽管困难，他依然没有放弃。繁: 儘管困難，他依然沒有放棄。Jǐnguǎn kùnnan, tā yīrán méiyǒu fàngqì.
Despite the difficulties, he still did not give up.
- 这家店的味道仍然很好。繁: 這家店的味道仍然很好。Zhè jiā diàn de wèidào réngrán hěn hǎo.
The taste of this restaurant is still very good.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他喜欢仍然她。Correct:他仍然喜欢她。
As adverbs, `仍然` and `依然` must come before the verb or adjective they modify; they cannot come after.
- Wrong:虽然很难，我还坚持。Correct:虽然很难，我仍然坚持。
In written or formal contexts, 仍然 is more suitable than 还 to emphasize the meaning of "still."