虽然…但是…: although…but
虽然…但是… (although…but) joins two clauses where the first concedes a fact and the second states the main point that goes against it. 虽然 opens the concession, and 但是, 可是 or 却 opens the point that wins.
Structure: 虽然 + Clause A (the concession) + 但是/可是/却 + Clause B (the main point)
✅ 虽然外面下雨，但是他还是去上班了。
✅ 这道题虽然难，我还是做出来了。
Key contrast:
- 虽然/但是 = concession (colloquial, everyday)
- 尽管/仍然 = concession (more formal/literary)
- 既然/就 = logical conclusion from accepted fact (≠ concession)
- 无论/都 = universal regardless (≠ concession)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 虽然外面下雨，但是他还是出发了。 | Suī rán wài miàn xià yǔ, dàn shì tā hái shì chū fā le. | Although it was raining outside, he still set off. | Minimal 虽然/但是 frame: conceded fact (rain) + maintained action (set off) |
| 这道菜虽然看起来简单，但是要做好需要不少技巧。 | Zhè dào cài suī rán kàn qǐ lái jiǎn dān, dàn shì yào zuò hǎo xū yào bù shǎo jì qiǎo. | Although this dish looks simple, making it well requires quite a few skills. | 虽然 placed after subject (shared subject) — both clauses about the same dish |
| 虽然我们之间距离很远，但是我们的友谊一直没有改变。 | Suī rán wǒ men zhī jiān jù lí hěn yuǎn, dàn shì wǒ men de yǒu yì yī zhí méi yǒu gǎi biàn. | Although the distance between us is great, our friendship has never changed. | Different subjects in each clause: 虽然 moves to sentence-initial position |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
虽然…但是 (suī rán … dàn shì)
Pairs a conceded fact with the main point that goes against it.
Structure: 虽然 + clause A, 但是 + clause B
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 虽然我很累，但是我想把作业做完。 | Suī rán wǒ hěn lèi, dàn shì wǒ xiǎng bǎ zuò yè zuò wán. | Although I am tired, I want to finish my homework. |
| 虽然这家店不大，但是东西很便宜。 | Suī rán zhè jiā diàn bú dà, dàn shì dōng xi hěn pián yi. | Although this shop is small, the things are cheap. |
| 虽然他只学了半年汉语，但是说得不错。 | Suī rán tā zhǐ xué le bàn nián hàn yǔ, dàn shì shuō de bú cuò. | Although he has studied Chinese for only half a year, he speaks quite well. |
Not: 虽然天气很冷，所以他还是去了。 The second clause needs 但是/可是/却, not 所以, which marks a reason.
虽然…但是 is also explained in: Concessive Compound: 虽然…但是/可是, 不过 (HSK 2) · Complex Sentences: 不仅…还…, 只有…才…, 虽然…但是… (HSK 3).
却 (què)
An adverb that marks the contrast in clause B; it can stand in for 但是 and sits after the subject.
Structure: subject + 却 + verb phrase
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 他很努力，成绩却不太好。 | Tā hěn nǔ lì, chéng jì què bú tài hǎo. | He works hard, yet his grades are not great. |
| 我给他打了电话，他却没接。 | Wǒ gěi tā dǎ le diàn huà, tā què méi jiē. | I called him, but he did not pick up. |
| 大家都很高兴，她却哭了。 | Dà jiā dōu hěn gāo xìng, tā què kū le. | Everyone was happy, but she cried. |
Not: 我等了他一个小时，却他没来。 却 goes after the subject and before the verb, not before the subject.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, adverbs (关联副词); level 6, complex sentences (转折复句).
却 is also explained in: 却/倒: unexpected contrast (HSK 4).
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
Questions about 虽然…但是…
What does 虽然…但是… mean in Chinese?
虽然…但是… (although…but) joins two clauses where the first concedes a fact and the second states the main point that goes against it. 虽然 opens the concession, and 但是, 可是 or 却 opens the point that wins. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 虽然…但是… in a sentence?
虽然外面下雨，但是他还是出发了。 — Suī rán wài miàn xià yǔ, dàn shì tā hái shì chū fā le. — Although it was raining outside, he still set off. Minimal 虽然/但是 frame: conceded fact (rain) + maintained action (set off).
What do you need to know before 虽然…但是…?
Concessive Compound (HSK 2). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
Can I use both 虽然 and 但是 in one sentence?
Yes, and Chinese usually does, unlike English 'although ... but'. 虽然他很忙，但是他来了。 You may also drop 虽然 and keep only 但是.
What is the difference between 但是, 可是 and 却?
但是 and 可是 start clause B, and 可是 is a little more spoken. 却 is an adverb that sits after the subject, as in 他却不知道。
虽然…但是… is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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