Expressing "although" with "suiran" and "danshi"

The grammar pattern 虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯ (suīrán... dànshì...) is one of the most commonly used patterns in Chinese, especially in written Chinese. You can think of it as meaning "although," but unlike in English, you still need to follow it up with a "but" word in Chinese.

Structure

虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯ expresses that while the former part of the sentence is true, there is an adverse reaction in the latter part.

Simply put, the pattern means, although..., but... In English, you wouldn't normally need the "but" there, but it is required in Chinese. Be aware that 可是 can be used interchangeably with 但是 for the "but" part. Also note that 还是 can be used after 但是 for emphasis, meaning "still."

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 pretty 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.
虽然他家很有钱，可是他从来不浪费钱。 Suīrán tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, kěshì tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián. Even though his family is rich, he never wastes money.
我妹妹虽然很胖，可是很灵活。 Wǒ mèimei suīrán hěn pàng, kěshì hěn línghuó. Although my little sister is fat, she is flexible.
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's 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 working experience.
奶奶虽然八十多岁了，但是她精神很好。 Nǎinai suīrán bāshí duō suì le, dànshì tā jīngshén hěn hǎo. Although grandma is in her eighties, she look very well.
虽然你们没有赢，但是我知道大家尽力了。 Suīrán nǐmen méiyǒu yíng, dànshì wǒ zhīdao dàjiā jìnlì le. You didn't win, but I know all of you did your best.
虽然我认识他很长时间了，但是我还是不了解他。 Suīrán wǒ rènshi tā hěn cháng shíjiān le, dànshì wǒ háishì bù liǎojiě tā. Although I've known him for a long time, I don't know much about him.

Expressing "although" with "suiran" and "danshi"

Contents

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books