HSK 2 grammar · new HSK syllabus
虽然…但是…: although… but…
Chinese uses both halves: 虽然…但是…, where English uses only “although”.
Structure
- 虽然 + A，但是 / 可是 + B
How it works
虽然 introduces a fact, and 但是 introduces something that contrasts with it: 虽然很贵，但是很好吃.
Unlike English, Chinese normally keeps 但是 even when 虽然 is used.
虽然 can go before or after the subject: 他虽然很忙，但是… / 虽然他很忙，但是….
Examples
-
虽然这个菜有点儿贵，但是很好吃。
Suīrán zhège cài yǒudiǎnr guì, dànshì hěn hǎochī.
Although this dish is a bit expensive, it’s delicious.
-
他虽然很忙，但是每天都学习汉语。
Tā suīrán hěn máng, dànshì měi tiān dōu xuéxí Hànyǔ.
Although he’s busy, he studies Chinese every day.
-
虽然下雨了，但是我们还是去了。
Suīrán xiàyǔ le, dànshì wǒmen háishi qù le.
Although it rained, we still went.
-
虽然我是外国人，但我有一个中文名字。
Suīrán wǒ shì wàiguó rén, dàn wǒ yǒu yí gè Zhōngwén míngzi.
Although I’m a foreigner, I have a Chinese name.
-
这个房间虽然不大，但是很舒服。
Zhège fángjiān suīrán bú dà, dànshì hěn shūfu.
This room isn’t big, but it’s comfortable.
Words in these examples (34)
| 虽然 | suīrán | although | HSK 2 |
| 这个 | zhège | this one | HSK 1 |
| 菜 | cài | dish (of food); vegetable | HSK 1 |
| 有点儿 | yǒudiǎnr | a little; somewhat | HSK 1 |
| 贵 | guì | expensive | HSK 1 |
| 但是 | dànshì | but; however | HSK 2 |
| 很 | hěn | very | HSK 1 |
| 好吃 | hǎochī | tasty; delicious | HSK 1 |
| 他 | tā | he; him | HSK 1 |
| 忙 | máng | busy | HSK 1 |
| 每 | měi | every; each | HSK 2 |
| 天 | tiān | day; sky | HSK 1 |
| 都 | dōu | all; both | HSK 1 |
| 学习 | xuéxí | to study; to learn | HSK 1 |
| 汉语 | Hànyǔ | Chinese (language) | HSK 1 |
| 下雨 | xiàyǔ | to rain | HSK 1 |
| 了 | le | (particle marking a completed action or a change) | HSK 1 |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we; us | HSK 1 |
| 还是 | háishi | or (in questions); still; had better | HSK 2 |
| 去 | qù | to go | HSK 1 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 是 | shì | to be (am, is, are); yes | HSK 1 |
| 外国 | wàiguó | foreign country | HSK 2 |
| 人 | rén | person; people | HSK 1 |
| 但 | dàn | but | HSK 2 |
| 有 | yǒu | to have; there is | HSK 1 |
| 一 | yī | one | HSK 1 |
| 个 | gè | (general measure word) | HSK 1 |
| 中文 | Zhōngwén | Chinese (language) | HSK 1 |
| 名字 | míngzi | name | HSK 1 |
| 房间 | fángjiān | room | HSK 1 |
| 不 | bù | not; no | HSK 1 |
| 大 | dà | big; large; old (age) | HSK 1 |
| 舒服 | shūfu | comfortable; feeling well | HSK 2 |
Common mistakes
-
✗虽然很贵，很好吃。
✓虽然很贵，但是很好吃。
Keep 但是 in the second half.
-
✗但是很贵，虽然很好吃。
✓虽然很贵，但是很好吃。
虽然 comes first.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 他学了很长时间，但是说得不太好。
2. 虽然很累， 我很高兴。
3. 这件衣服虽然便宜， 不好看。