虽然……但是……
Although … but …
HSK 2 · 4 examples
Speed
虽然 introduces a fact that pushes against the second half; 但是 (or 可是) introduces the result that surprises you.
Unlike English, Chinese is happy to keep both halves — dropping 但是 is fine in short sentences, but it is never wrong to keep it.
Examples
，。
Although he is young, he is sensible.
，。
Although it rained, we still went.
，。
Although this jacket is expensive, it looks great.
，。
Although I am tired, I am happy.
Watch out
- 虽然 can also come after the subject: 他虽然小，但是很懂事。
- 可是 sounds a little softer than 但是.
Words in these examples
All 19 words used in the examples above — tap any word in an example to look it up in place. Words above this level are marked new.
- 虽然suī ránHSK 2although; even though (often used correlatively with 是 or 是 etc)
- 他tāHSK 1other, another; he, she, it
- 很hěnHSK 1very, quite, much
- 小xiǎoHSK 1small, tiny, insignificant
- 但是dàn shìHSK 2but; however
- 懂事dǒng shìnewto grow beyond the naivete of childhood; to be aware of what is going on in the world; (esp. of a child) sensible; thoughtful; intelligent
- 下雨xià yǔHSK 1to rain
- 了leHSK 1to finish; particle of completed action
- 我们wǒ menHSK 1we; us; ourselves; our
- 还是hái shiHSK 1still (as before); had better; unexpectedly; or
- 去qùHSK 1go away, leave, depart
- 这zhèHSK 1this, the, here
- 件jiànHSK 2numerary adjunct for article; matter
- 衣服yī fuHSK 1clothes
- 贵guìHSK 1expensive, costly, valuable
- 好看hǎo kànHSK 1good-looking; nice-looking; good (of a movie, book, TV show etc); embarrassed; humiliated
- 我wǒHSK 1our, us, i, me, my, we
- 累lèiHSK 1tired; implicate, involve; bother
- 开心kāi xīnHSK 2to feel happy; to rejoice; to have a great time; to make fun of sb