Expressing "although" with "jinguan"

尽管 (jǐnguǎn) means "although," and is a little stronger than 虽然, perhaps more like "even though."

Structure

尽管⋯⋯ ，但是 + Subj. + 还是⋯⋯

Examples

• 尽管 老板 最近 不在 ，我们 还是 不 能 偷懒。Jǐnguǎn lǎobǎn zuìjìn bùzài, wǒmen háishì bùnéng tōulǎn.Despite the fact that the boss hasn't been around lately, we still can't be lazy.
• 尽管 我 很 生气 ，但是 我 没 发脾气。Jǐnguǎn wǒ hěn shēngqì, dànshì wǒ méi fā píqì.Even though I was angry, I didn't lose my temper.
• 尽管 警察 已经 找到 了 一些 证据 ，但是 他们 还是 不能 抓 那个 嫌疑人。Jǐnguǎn jǐngchá yǐjīng zhǎodàole yīxiē zhèngjù, dànshì tāmen háishì bùnéng zhuā nàgè xiányí rén.Even though the police found some proof, they still couldn’t arrest the suspect.
• 尽管 他 的 书 很 有 争议 ，但 它 还是 出版 了。Jǐnguǎn tā de shū hěn yǒu zhēngyì, dàn tā háishì chūbǎn le.Even though his book is very controversial, it's still published.
• 尽管 困难 很多 ，但是 我们 不能 放弃。Jǐnguǎn kùnnán hěnduō, dànshì wǒmen bùnéng fàngqì.Even though there're many difficulties, we can't just give up on it.
• 尽管 很多人 批评 他 ，他 还是 坚持 这么 做。Jǐnguǎn hěnduō rén pīpíng tā, tā háishì jiānchí zhème zuò.Despite the fact that many people criticize him, he still insists on doing it.
• 尽管 当时 很 危险 ，消防员 还是 勇敢 地 冲 了 进去。Jǐnguǎn dāngshí hěn wéixiǎn, xiāofáng yuán háishì yǒnggǎn de chōng le jìnqù.Even though it was very dangerous, the firefighters are still bravely running in.

可 or 但是 can be added before 还是 or 仍然 to further emphasize the shift in meaning in the second phrase.

See also

• "Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"
• "Not… But Rather…" with "er shi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 4上 (pp. 19) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 206) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 5) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

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