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.It is used often to bring up a certain point, then to show that there is a contrary reaction.

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 + Subject + 但是 + Contrary Reaction

Simply put, the pattern means Although...but.... in English, and is generally used in the same manner. Be aware that "可是" can be used interchangeably with "但是."

Examples

• 虽然 他 是 美国 人 ，但是 他 还 没 去 过 华盛顿。 Suīrán tā shì Měiguó rén, dànshì tā hái méi qùguò Huáshèngdùn.Although he's American, he still hasn't been to Washington D.C.
• 虽然 她 说 不 太 饿，但是 她 点 了 很 多 菜。Suīrán tā shuō bù tài è, dànshì tā diǎn le hěn duō cài.Even though she said she isn't hungry, she ordered a lot of food.
• 虽然 他 的 家里 很 有钱，可是 他 从来 不浪费 钱。Suīrán tā de jiālǐ hěn yǒu qián, kěshì tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián.Even though he‘s got a rich family, he never wastes money.

See also

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

Sources and further reading

Books

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