虽然…但是…
HSK 2- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The paired conjunction 虽然…但是… is used to connect two clauses with contrasting meanings, equivalent to 'although... but...' in English.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is a very common pair of conjunctions (连词) used to express concession. The clause with 虽然 (although) states a fact or a known situation, while the clause with 但是 (but/however) introduces a result or an opinion that is contrary to or unexpected from the preceding clause.
In spoken language, 但是 can sometimes be omitted and the sentence will still make sense, but using the full pair makes the meaning clearer and more coherent.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 虽然外面很冷，但是屋里很暖和。繁: 雖然外面很冷，但是屋裡很暖和。Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, dànshì wū lǐ hěn nuǎnhuo.
Although it is very cold outside, it is very warm inside the house.
- 虽然汉字很难，但是他很喜欢学。繁: 雖然漢字很難，但是他很喜歡學。Suīrán hànzì hěn nán, dànshì tā hěn xǐhuān xué.
Although Chinese characters are very difficult, he really enjoys learning them.
- 虽然我很累，但是我还是想去。繁: 雖然我很累，但是我還是想去。Suīrán wǒ hěn lèi, dànshì wǒ háishì xiǎng qù.
Although I was very tired, I still wanted to go.
- 虽然这件衣服很贵，但是很好看。繁: 雖然這件衣服很貴，但是很好看。Suīrán zhè jiàn yīfu hěn guì, dànshì hěn hǎokàn.
Although this piece of clothing is very expensive, it looks very nice.
- 虽然他没说，但是我知道他很难过。繁: 雖然他沒說，但是我知道他很難過。Suīrán tā méi shuō, dànshì wǒ zhīdào tā hěn nánguò.
Although he didn't say anything, I know he is very sad.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:虽然他很累，可是他还是想去。Correct:虽然他很累，但是他还是想去。
虽然 is typically paired with 但是. Although 可是 also means 'but', they cannot be used together in the same structure.
- Wrong:因为下雨，虽然我们没去公园。Correct:虽然下雨，但是我们还是去了公园。
虽然 cannot be used to indicate a cause like 因为; it is only used to introduce a fact that contrasts with the following clause.