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

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

虽然 ⋯⋯ ，但是 / 可是 ⋯⋯

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 了 ，但是 精神 很 好 。Nǎinai suīrán bāshí duō 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'v known him for a long time, I don't know much about him.

See also

• Two words for "but"
• "Although" with "jinguan"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 115-6) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 217) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 245) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 256-7) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 177) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy