Complex Sentence PatternsHSK 4
Expressing "although" with 虽然 and 但是
虽然...但是... is used to express "although... but..." in Chinese. Unlike English, you must include the "but" word (但是 or 可是) in the second clause. A common mistake is to omit 但是 or 可是 after 虽然.
Structure
虽然 + ... , 但是 / 可是 + ...
还是 may follow 但是 for emphasis.
Examples
- 虽然外面很冷，可是里面很暖和。Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, kěshì lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.
- 这件衣服虽然有点贵，但是质量很好。Zhè jiàn yīfu suīrán yǒudiǎn guì, dànshì zhìliàng hěn hǎo.Although this piece of clothing is a little expensive, the quality is good.
- 他虽然不想去，但是还是去了。Tā suīrán bù xiǎng qù, dànshì háishì qù le.Although he didn't want to go, he ended up going.
- 虽然她准备得很好，但是还是有点紧张。Suīrán tā zhǔnbèi de hěn hǎo, dànshì háishì yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.Although she has prepared very well, she's still a little nervous.
- 你虽然学历高，可是没有工作经验。Nǐ suīrán xuélì gāo, kěshì méiyǒu gōngzuò jīngyàn.Although you're well-educated, you don't have work experience.