Although…But — 虽然…但是
Overview
虽然…但是 (suīrán…dànshì) expresses concession — acknowledging a fact in the first clause while introducing a contrasting or surprising result in the second. It is the Mandarin equivalent of “although…but” and is one of the most important paired conjunction structures. Critically, unlike English (which drops “but” after “although”), Mandarin requires both parts.
Pattern(s)
| Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|
虽然 [Concession], 但是 [Contrast] | Standard; both parts required |
虽然 [Concession], 可是 [Contrast] | 可是 as softer alternative to 但是 |
虽然 [Concession], 还是 [Result] | ”Still/nevertheless” — result happens anyway |
Key difference from English: You CANNOT drop 但是 after 虽然 in Mandarin. ❌ 虽然难，有用。 ✅ 虽然难，但是有用。
Core Examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 虽然贵，但是质量很好。 | Suīrán guì, dànshì zhìliàng hěn hǎo. | Although it’s expensive, the quality is good. |
| 虽然难，但是有用。 | Suīrán nán, dànshì yǒu yòng. | Although it’s difficult, it’s useful. |
| 他很累，虽然很忙，但是还是完成了工作。 | Tā hěn lèi, suīrán hěn máng, dànshì háishì wánchéng le gōngzuò. | Although he was tired and busy, he still finished the work. |
| 这个手机旧，虽然旧，但是很好用。 | Zhège shǒujī jiù, suīrán jiù, dànshì hěn hǎoyòng. | Although this phone is old, it works well. |
| 她年纪小，虽然年纪小，但是很懂事。 | Tā niánjì xiǎo, suīrán niánjì xiǎo, dànshì hěn dǒngshì. | Although she’s young, she’s very sensible. |
| 路很远，虽然很远，但是我们走到了。 | Lù hěn yuǎn, suīrán hěn yuǎn, dànshì wǒmen zǒu dào le. | Although the road was long, we made it on foot. |
Pitfalls
❌ Dropping 但是 (the English trap) English speakers often write: 虽然难，有用。 This is incomplete in Mandarin — 但是 (or 可是/还是) must close the pair.
❌ Confusing 虽然…但是 with 因为…所以
他很累，因为…所以还是完成了工作。 ❌ 因为…所以 = cause-effect (he was tired because of something). 虽然…但是 = concession (despite being tired, he still completed it). 虽然他很累，但是还是完成了工作。 ✅
Minimal Pairs
| Structure | Relationship | English |
|---|---|---|
| 虽然…但是 | Concession → contrast | ”Although A, still B” |
| 因为…所以 | Cause → effect | ”Because A, therefore B” |
| 如果…就 | Condition → result | ”If A, then B” |
| Closing word | Tone |
|---|---|
| 但是 | Neutral contrast |
| 可是 | Softer, more sympathetic |
| 还是 | ”Still / nevertheless” — result happens anyway |
Drills
Choose 因为…所以 or 虽然…但是:
- _____ 这个手机旧，_____ 很好用。
- 她年纪小，_____ 很懂事。(use 虽然…但是)
- 路很远，_____ 我们走到了。(use 虽然…但是)
- _____ 他努力工作，_____ 得到了奖金。
- _____ 天气冷，_____ 他还是出去跑步。
Answer Key: 1. 虽然/但是 2. 虽然/但是 3. 虽然/但是 4. 因为/所以 5. 虽然/但是
Notes
- 尽管…但是 (jǐnguǎn…dànshì) is a more formal/literary synonym for 虽然…但是.
- When the subject is the same in both clauses, it typically appears after 虽然: 虽然他很累，但是他还是完成了。The second subject is often dropped: 虽然他很累，但是还是完成了。
Sources
- HSK Level: 2 (also tested: HSK 3)
- Mandarin Grammar References — Conjunctions chapter
- HSK Standard Course 2 — L14