2 · Linking clauses
Although: suīrán … dànshì
admitting one thing and insisting on another
Suīrán admits something and dànshì or kěshì sets the contrast against it — Chinese says both words where English says only one.
虽然 means “although” and introduces what the speaker admits; 但是 or 可是, “but”, introduces what is true all the same: 虽然很贵，但是质量很好, “although it is expensive, the quality is good”. English teachers warn against “although … but”; in Chinese that pair is exactly the normal one.
In fact the trap runs the other way. A clause with 虽然 leaves the listener waiting for the turn, and a second half with no word to mark it sounds unfinished. The second half therefore carries 但是, 可是, or one of the adverbs 还是 (“still”), 也 or 却 after its subject. The reverse is free: 但是 can stand on its own without any 虽然 before it.
Positions follow the usual split between conjunctions and adverbs. 但是 and 可是 open their clause, before the subject. 虽然 can stand before or after the subject of its own clause: 他虽然很忙 and 虽然他很忙 are both fine. 可是 sounds a little more spoken than 但是; 不过 is a softer “however”.
Put the admitted part first. English happily says “it is good, although it is expensive”; Chinese normally turns that round, so that the sentence ends on what the speaker wants to stress. The order “although … , but …” is the one to practise until it is automatic.
The form
| the full pair | 虽然很贵，但是质量很好。 |
| with 可是 | 虽然很累，可是我很高兴。 |
| 虽然 after the subject | 他虽然很忙，但是每天都运动。 |
| with 还是: still | 虽然下雨，我们还是去了。 |
| only the second half | 这个菜很辣，但是很好吃。 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
虽然 introduces what is admitted, and 但是 or 可是 what is true anyway; Chinese uses both together.
虽然外面很冷，但是房间里很暖和。Although it is cold outside, it is warm in the room.
但是 and 可是 open their clause, before the subject; 虽然 can stand before or after the subject.
我虽然学了两年中文，可是说得还不好。Although I have studied Chinese for two years, I still don’t speak it well.
还是 or 也, after the subject of the second half, says “still, all the same”.
虽然他不饿，他还是吃了一碗面。Although he wasn’t hungry, he still ate a bowl of noodles.
但是 can stand alone; 虽然 alone sounds unfinished.
这家店很小，但是东西很全。This shop is small, but it has everything.
A closer look
Four ways to say “but”
但是 is the neutral word and works everywhere. 可是 means the same and is a little more conversational. 但 is the short form, frequent in writing. 不过 is gentler — closer to “though” or “mind you” — and is good for adding a reservation without sounding blunt.
却 is different in kind: it is an adverb, not a conjunction, so it stands after the subject, right before the verb or adjective. It stresses that the second fact is unexpected: 他虽然很年轻，经验却很丰富, “although he is young, he has a great deal of experience”.
How to spot it
- 虽然
- 但是
- 可是
- 不过
- 虽然…但是…
Example sentences
虽然这个包有点儿贵，但是我很喜欢。Although this bag is a bit expensive, I really like it.
他虽然只有八岁，可是已经会做饭了。Although he is only eight, he can already cook.
虽然下着大雨，比赛还是开始了。Although it was pouring with rain, the match started all the same.
虽然我们很少见面，但是我们一直是好朋友。Although we rarely meet, we have always been good friends.
这儿的冬天很长，不过不太冷。Winters here are long, but not very cold.
虽然考试很难，可是她考得很好。Although the exam was hard, she did very well.
7 more example sentences
虽然他是北京人，但是他不爱吃烤鸭。Although he is from Beijing, he doesn’t like roast duck.
我虽然认识他，可是不太了解他。Although I know him, I don’t really know what he is like.
这个手机很旧了，不过还能用。This phone is old, but it still works.
虽然大家都劝他，他还是不听。Although everybody tried to talk him round, he still wouldn’t listen.
虽然路不远，可是走路要二十分钟。Although it isn’t far, it takes twenty minutes on foot.
虽然现在是夏天，但是晚上还是有点儿凉。Although it is summer now, the evenings are still a little cool.
虽然我很想去，可是我真的没有时间。Although I’d love to go, I honestly don’t have the time.
Worth knowing (1)
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Suīrán as an afterthought
In relaxed speech the admitted part can follow, added like a footnote: then there is no 但是, and the first clause often carries 还是. Learn the normal order first; recognise this one when you hear it.
我还是想去，虽然有点儿远。I still want to go, even though it is a bit far.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English speakers have been taught that “although … but” is wrong, so they leave the second word out. In Chinese the clause after 虽然 needs a marker of the contrast — 但是 or 可是 at its start, or 还是, 也 or 却 after its subject. Without one the sentence sounds as if it stopped halfway.
Suīrán admits, dànshì insists — say both, even though English would say only one.
Your turn
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