ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B1.old/Grammar-wiki-B1-107.txt

{{Grammar Box}} 

The grammar pattern "虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯" (suīrán... dànshì...) is one of the most common 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 with a "[[but]]" word in Chinese.

== Structure ==

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

<div class="jiegou">
虽然 ⋯⋯ ，但是 / 可是 ⋯⋯
</div>

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.

== Examples ==

<div class="liju">

*他 <em>虽然</em> 不 想 去 ，<em>但是</em> 还是 去 了 。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <em>suīrán</em> bù xiǎng qù, <em>dànshì</em> háishì qù le.</span><span class="trans">Although he didn't want to go, he did after all.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 他 家 很 有钱，<em>可是</em> 他 从来 不 浪费 钱 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, <em>kěshì</em> tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián.</span><span class="trans">Even though his family is rich, he never wastes money.</span>
*这 件 衣服 <em>虽然</em> 有点 贵 ，<em>但是</em> 质量 很 好 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu <em>suīrán</em> yǒudiǎn guì, <em>dànshì</em> zhìliàng hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although this piece of clothing is a little expensive, the quality is pretty good.</span>
*他 <em>虽然</em> 有 错 ，<em>可是</em> 不 能 全 怪 他 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>suīrán</em> yǒu cuò, <em>kěshì</em> bù néng quán guài tā.</span><span class="trans">Although he did something wrong, you can't blame him for all of it.</span>
*你 <em>虽然</em> 学历 高 ，<em>可是</em> 没 行业 经验 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>suīrán</em> xuélì gāo, <em>kěshì</em> méi hángyè jīngyàn.</span><span class="trans">Although you're well-educated, you don't have experience in this industry.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 奶奶 已经 八十 多 了 ，<em>但是</em> 她 精神 很 好 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> nǎinai yǐjīng bāshí duō le, <em>dànshì</em> tā jīngshén hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although grandma is in her eighties, she look very well.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 她 病 了 ，<em>可是</em> 她 没有 请假 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā bìng le, <em>kěshì</em> tā méiyǒu qǐngjià.</span><span class="trans">Although she's sick, she didn't ask for sick leave.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 他 不 是 很 有 天赋 ，<em>可是</em> 他 非常 努力 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā bù shì hěn yǒu tiānfù, <em>kěshì</em> tā fēicháng nǔlì.</span><span class="trans">Although he's not very talented, he works very hard.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 我们 准备 得 很 好 ，<em>但是</em> 还是 有点 紧张 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> wǒmen zhǔnbèi de hěn hǎo, <em>dànshì</em> háishì yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.</span><span class="trans">Although we all prepared very well, we're still a little nervous.</span>
*我 认识 他 的 时间 <em>虽然</em> 不 长 ，<em>但是</em> 我 已经 很 了解 他 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ rènshi tā de shíjiān <em>suīrán</em> bù cháng, <em>dànshì</em> wǒ yǐjīng hěn liǎojiě tā le.</span><span class="trans">Although I haven't known him for a long time, I've known him very deeply.</span>

</div>

==See also==
*[[Two words for "but"]]
*[["Although" with "jinguan"]]

== Sources and further reading ==

=== Books ===

* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 115-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy] 
* [[Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)]] (pp. 217) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7802006473/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7802006473 →buy] 
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 245) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 256-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy] 
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 177) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]

[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|虽然|B1|虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯|<em>虽然</em> 渴 了，<em>但是</em> 不 想 喝 啤酒。|grammar point|ASGXI560}}
{{Rel char|但是}}
{{Rel char|但}}
{{Rel char|可是}}
{{Similar|"Although" with "jinguan"}}
{{Similar|Two words for "but"}}
{{Similar|A softer "but"}}
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
{{Used for|Connecting ideas}}
{{Used for|Contrasting}}
{{Translation|although}}
{{Translation|but}}