Difference between revisions of "Expressing "although" with "suiran" and "danshi""

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*<em>虽然</em> 他 是 美国 人 ,<em>但是</em> 他 还 没 去 过 华盛顿。
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*<em>虽然</em> 他 是 美国 人 ,<em>但是</em> 他 还 没 去 过 华盛顿。 <span class="trans">Although he's American, he still hasn't been to Washington D.C.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 她 说 不 太 饿,<em>但是</em> 她 点 了 很 多 菜。
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*<em>虽然</em> 她 说 不 太 饿,<em>但是</em> 她 点 了 很 多 菜。<span class="trans">Even though she said she isn't hungry, she ordered a lot of food.</span>
*他 <em>虽然</em> 给 别人 很 热情 的 感觉,<em>可是</em> 他 其实 是 一个 坏人。
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*他 <em>虽然</em> 给 别人 很 热情 的 感觉,<em>可是</em> 他 其实 是 一个 坏人。<span class="trans">Even though he excites other people, he is actually a bad person.</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 08:19, 4 June 2013

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。 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。Even though she said she isn't hungry, she ordered a lot of food.
  • 虽然 给 别人 很 热情 的 感觉,可是 他 其实 是 一个 坏人。Even though he excites other people, he is actually a bad person.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books