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

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
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The grammar pattern 虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯ (suīrán... dànshì...) is one of the most commonly 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 up with a "[[but]]" word in Chinese.
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 ==
 
== Structure ==
  
"虽然(suīrán) ⋯⋯ ,但是(dànshì) ⋯⋯ " expresses that while the former part of the sentence is true, there is an adverse reaction in the latter part.  
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虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯ expresses that while the former part of the sentence is true, there is an adverse reaction in the latter part.  
  
 
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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.
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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 ==
 
== Examples ==
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*<em>虽然</em> 他 家 有钱,<em>可是</em> 他 从来 不 浪费 钱 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, <em>kěshì</em> tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián.</span><span class="trans">Even though his family is rich, he never wastes money.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 外面 冷 ,<em>可是</em> 里面 很 暖和 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> wàimiàn hěn lěng, <em>kěshì</em> lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.</span><span class="trans">Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.</span>
*这 件 衣服 <em>虽然</em> 贵 ,<em>但是</em> 质量 很 好 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu <em>suīrán</em> hěn guì, <em>dànshì</em> zhìliàng hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although this piece of clothing is expensive, the quality is pretty good.</span>
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*这 件 衣服 <em>虽然</em> 有点 贵 ,<em>但是</em> 质量 很 好 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu <em>suīrán</em> yǒudiǎn guì, <em>dànshì</em> zhìliàng hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although this piece of clothing is a little expensive, the quality is good.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 你 很 忙 ,<em>可是</em> 还是 要 多 陪 孩子 。<span class="pinyin"><em> suīrán</em> nǐ hěn máng, <em>kěshì</em> háishì yào duō péi háizi.</span><span class="trans">Although you are busy, you still need to spend more time with your kid.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 不 想 去 ,<em>但是</em> <strong>还是</strong> 去 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>suīrán</em> bù xiǎng qù, <em>dànshì</em> <strong>háishì</strong> qù le.</span><span class="trans">Although he didn't want to go, he ended up going.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 没 见 过 我爷爷 ,<em>可是</em> 我 知道 很 多 的 故事 。<span class="pinyin"><em>suīrán</em> méi jiàn guo wǒ yéye, <em>kěshì</em> wǒ zhīdào hěn duō de gùshi.</span><span class="trans">Although I've never seen my grandfather, I know many stories about him.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 他 家 很 有钱 ,<em>可是</em> 他 从来 不 浪费 钱 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, <em>kěshì</em> tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián.</span><span class="trans">Even though his family is rich, he never wastes money.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 奶奶 已经 八十 多 了 ,<em>但是</em> 她 精神 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> nǎinai yǐjīng bāshí duō le, <em>dànshì</em> tā jīngshén hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although grandma is in her eighties, she look very well.</span>
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*我 妹妹 <em>虽然</em> 很 胖 ,<em>可是</em> 很 灵活 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ mèimei <em>suīrán</em> hěn pàng, <em>kěshì</em> hěn línghuó.</span><span class="trans">Although my little sister is fat, she is flexible.</span>
*我们 认识 的 时间 <em>虽然</em> 不 长 ,<em>但是</em> 我们 已经 见 过 好 几 次 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen rènshi de shíjiān <em>suīrán</em> bù cháng, <em>dànshì</em> wǒmen yǐjīng jiàn guò hǎo jǐ cì le.</span><span class="trans">Although we haven't known each other for a long time, we've met several times.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 她 准备 得 很 好 ,<em>但是</em> <strong>还是</strong> 有点 紧张 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā zhǔnbèi de hěn hǎo, <em>dànshì</em> <strong>háishì</strong> yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.</span><span class="trans">Although she has prepared very well, she's still a little nervous.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 她 说 不 太 饿 ,<em>但是</em> 她 点 了 很 多 菜 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā shuō bù tài è, <em>dànshì</em> tā diǎn le hěn duō cài.</span><span class="trans">Even though she said she isn't very hungry, she ordered a lot of food.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 学历 高 ,<em>可是</em> 没有 工作 经验 。<span class="pinyin"><em>suīrán</em> xuélì gāo, <em>kěshì</em> méiyǒu gōngzuò jīngyàn.</span><span class="trans">Although you're well-educated, you don't have work experience.</span>
*这 种 运动 <em>虽然</em> 很 酷 ,<em>但是</em> 很 危险 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng yùndòng <em>suīrán</em> hěn kù, <em> dànshì</em> hěn wēixiǎn.</span><span class="trans">Although this kind of sport is very cool, it's dangerous.</span>
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*奶奶 <em>虽然</em> 八十 多 岁 了 ,<em>但是</em> 她 精神 。<span class="pinyin">Nǎinai <em>suīrán</em> bāshí duō suì le, <em>dànshì</em> tā jīngshén hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Although grandma is in her eighties, she is energetic.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 这 次 考试 不 重要 ,<em>但是</em> 我 也 要 好好 准备 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> zhè cì kǎoshì bù zhòngyào, <em>dànshì</em> wǒ yě yào hǎohǎo zhǔnbèi.</span><span class="trans">Although this exam is not important, I'm going to prepare well anyway.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 你们 没有 赢 ,<em>但是</em> 我 知道 大家 尽力 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> nǐmen méiyǒu yíng, <em>dànshì</em> wǒ zhīdào dàjiā jìnlì le.</span><span class="trans">Although you didn't win, I know that all of you did your best.</span>
*<em>虽然</em> 他 已经 在 上海 住 了 两 年 了 ,<em>但是</em> 还是 不太 了解 这个 城市 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> tā yǐjīng zài Shànghǎi zhù le liǎng nián le, <em>dànshì</em> háishì bù tài liǎojiě zhège chéngshì.</span><span class="trans">Although he's been living Shanghai for two years, he still doesn't know much about this city.</span>
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*<em>虽然</em> 我 认识 很长 时间 了 ,<em>但是</em> 我 <strong>还是</strong> 不 了解 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Suīrán</em> wǒ rènshi hěn cháng shíjiān le, <em>dànshì</em> wǒ <strong>háishì</strong> bù liǎojiě .</span><span class="trans">Although I've known him for a long time, I still don't know him well.</span>
  
 
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==See also==
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== See also ==
 +
 
 
*[[Two words for "but"]]
 
*[[Two words for "but"]]
 
*[["Although" with "jinguan"]]
 
*[["Although" with "jinguan"]]
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 115-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|108}}
* [[Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)]] (pp. 217) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7802006473/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7802006473 →buy]
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{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|115-6}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 245) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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{{Source|Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)|217}}
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 256-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|245}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 177) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
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{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|256-7}}
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|177}}
  
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|虽然|B1|虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯|<em>虽然</em> 渴 了,<em>但是</em> 不 想 喝 啤酒。|grammar point|ASGXI560}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
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{{Basic Grammar|虽然|B1|虽然⋯⋯ ,但是 / 可是⋯⋯|<em>虽然</em> 渴 了,<em>但是</em> 不 想 喝 啤酒。|grammar point|ASGXI560}}
 
{{Rel char|但是}}
 
{{Rel char|但是}}
 
{{Rel char|但}}
 
{{Rel char|但}}
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{{Similar|Two words for "but"}}
 
{{Similar|Two words for "but"}}
 
{{Similar|A softer "but"}}
 
{{Similar|A softer "but"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "after all" with "bijing"}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
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{{Subprop|Complex Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Used for|Connecting ideas}}
 
{{Used for|Connecting ideas}}
 
{{Used for|Contrasting}}
 
{{Used for|Contrasting}}
 
{{Translation|although}}
 
{{Translation|although}}
 
{{Translation|but}}
 
{{Translation|but}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

The grammar pattern 虽然⋯⋯ 但是⋯⋯ (suīrán... dànshì...) is one of the most commonly 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 up 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 good.
  • 虽然 不 想 去 ,但是 还是 去 了 。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 has prepared very well, she's still a little nervous.
  • 虽然 学历 高 ,可是 没有 工作 经验 。suīrán xuélì gāo, kěshì méiyǒu gōngzuò jīngyàn.Although you're well-educated, you don't have work experience.
  • 奶奶 虽然 八十 多 岁 了 ,但是 她 精神 很 好 。Nǎinai suīrán bāshí duō suì le, dànshì tā jīngshén hěn hǎo.Although grandma is in her eighties, she is energetic.
  • 虽然 你们 没有 赢 ,但是 我 知道 大家 尽力 了 。Suīrán nǐmen méiyǒu yíng, dànshì wǒ zhīdào dàjiā jìnlì le.Although you didn't win, I know that all of you did your best.
  • 虽然 我 认识 他 很长 时间 了 ,但是还是 不 了解 他 。Suīrán wǒ rènshi tā hěn cháng shíjiān le, dànshìháishì bù liǎojiě tā.Although I've known him for a long time, I still don't know him well.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books