"But" StatementsHSK 5
Expressing "although" with 尽管
尽管 (jǐnguǎn) means "although" or "even though." Use it at the beginning of the first clause, followed by a comma. The second clause often includes 还是 (háishì) to mean "still," and you can add 可是 (kěshì) or 但是 (dànshì) before the subject for extra emphasis.
Structure
尽管 + ... ，Subj. + 还是 + ...
尽管 + ... ，可是 / 但是 + Subj. + 还是 + ...
可是 or 但是 is optional and adds extra contrast
Examples
- 尽管很多人批评他，他还是坚持这么做。Jǐn guǎn hěn duō rén pī píng tā, tā hái shì jiān chí zhè me zuò.Despite the fact that many people criticize him, he still insists on doing it.
- 尽管老板最近不在，我们还是不能偷懒。Jǐn guǎn lǎo bǎn zuì jìn bú zài, wǒ men hái shì bù néng tōu lǎn.Despite the fact that the boss hasn't been around lately, we still can't get lazy.
- 尽管困难很多，但是我们不能放弃。Jǐn guǎn kùn nan hěn duō, dàn shì wǒ men bù néng fàng qì.Even though there are many difficulties, we can't just give up.
- 尽管警察已经找到了一些证据，但是他们还是不能抓那个嫌疑人。Jǐn guǎn jǐng chá yǐ jīng zhǎo dào le yì xiē zhèng jù, dàn shì tā men hái shì bù néng zhuā nà ge xián yí rén.Even though the police have already found some evidence, they still can't arrest the suspect.
- 尽管他的书很有争议，但它还是出版了。Jǐn guǎn tā de shū hěn yǒu zhēng yì, dàn tā hái shì chū bǎn le.Even though his book is very controversial, it was still published.