虽然… 但是… Although…

虽然 (suīrán)…但是 (dànshì)…: Learn how to express contrast and transition in Chinese using the “although…but…” pattern

Basic Transition Pattern

The structure 虽然 (suīrán)…但是 (dànshì)… or 虽然 (suīrán)…可是 (kěshì)… indicates a transition or contrast between two clauses, similar to “although…but…” in English.

This pattern is used to express that despite one fact being true, a contrasting or unexpected fact is also true.

虽然 + Clause 1 + 但是 + Clause 2

Transition Structure Visualization

Concession Clause

我吃得多

I eat a lot

Admits a fact (虽然)

但是
but

Contrast Clause

我很瘦

I’m very thin

Contrasting fact (但是)

Complete Sentence: 我虽然吃得多，但是很瘦。
(Although I eat a lot, I’m very thin.)

虽然 (suīrán) – “Although”

虽然 (suīrán) means “although” or “even though.” It introduces a concession clause that acknowledges a fact.

Function: Admits/acknowledges a fact

虽然 + [fact]

although + [fact]

Key characteristics:

Introduces the first clause
Can be placed before or after the subject
Always followed by a comma in written Chinese

但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) – “But”

但是 (dànshì) or 可是 (kěshì) means “but” or “however.” It introduces the contrasting clause.

Function: Introduces contrasting information

但是 + [contrasting fact]

but + [contrasting fact]

Key characteristics:

Introduces the second clause
Comes after the comma
但是 is more formal than 可是

Important Grammar Rule

Unlike English where we can say “Although X, but Y” is considered redundant, in Chinese both 虽然 and 但是 are required in this structure.

Chinese (Correct):

虽然他很忙，但是他来帮忙了。

Although he is busy, but he came to help.

English (Incorrect):

Although he is busy, but he came to help.

(Should be: Although he is busy, he came to help.)

Remember: In Chinese, you must use both 虽然 and 但是 together in this pattern.

Subject Placement Rules

When both clauses share the same Subject, the Subject generally appears in the first clause.

虽然 (suīrán) can come either before or after the subject in the first clause.

Same Subject

Different Subjects

Same Subject in Both Clauses

When the subject is the same in both clauses, place the subject in the first clause:

S + 虽然 + Clause 1 + 但是 + Clause 2

Example 1:

我虽然吃得多，但是很瘦。

wǒ suīrán chī dé duō, dànshì hěn shòu.

Translation: Although I eat a lot, I’m very thin.

Analysis:

我 (I) – same subject in both clauses

虽然吃得多 (although eat a lot)

但是很瘦 (but very thin)

Example 2:

他虽然学习努力，但是成绩不好。

tā suīrán xuéxí nǔlì, dànshì chéngjī bù hǎo.

Translation: Although he studies hard, his grades aren’t good.

Analysis:

他 (he) – same subject in both clauses

虽然学习努力 (although studies hard)

但是成绩不好 (but grades not good)

Different Subjects in Clauses

When each clause has its own subject, each subject stays in its own clause:

虽然 + S1 + Clause 1 + 但是 + S2 + Clause 2

Example 1:

虽然天气不好，但是我的心情很好。

suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, dànshì wǒ de xīnqíng hěn hǎo.

Translation: Although the weather is not good, I am in a good mood.

Analysis:

虽然天气 (although weather) – subject 1

但是我的心情 (but my mood) – subject 2

Different subjects in each clause

Example 2:

虽然价格贵，但是质量很好。

suīrán jiàgé guì, dànshì zhìliàng hěn hǎo.

Translation: Although the price is expensive, the quality is very good.

Analysis:

虽然价格 (although price) – subject 1

但是质量 (but quality) – subject 2

Different subjects in each clause

Subject Placement Summary

Same Subject in Both Clauses

Rule: Subject at beginning of sentence

S + 虽然 + Clause 1，但是 + Clause 2

Example: 我虽然忙，但是会帮你。

Although I’m busy, I will help you.

Different Subjects in Clauses

Rule: Each subject in its own clause

虽然 + S1 + Clause 1，但是 + S2 + Clause 2

Example: 虽然他很年轻，但是经验丰富。

Although he is young, he has rich experience.

Usage Examples and Variations

Unlock this content and all our premium features with a membership. Get access to graded HSK video lessons, grammar breakdowns, vocab lists, online tests, and more!

Pick a Plan Today >>

Already a member? Sign in.

Practice Exercises

Unlock this content and all our premium features with a membership. Get access to graded HSK video lessons, grammar breakdowns, vocab lists, online tests, and more!

Pick a Plan Today >>

Already a member? Sign in.

虽然… 但是… Although…

虽然… 但是… Although…

1 Basic Transition Pattern

Transition Structure Visualization

虽然 (suīrán) – “Although”

但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) – “But”

Important Grammar Rule

2 Subject Placement Rules

Same Subject in Both Clauses

Different Subjects in Clauses

Subject Placement Summary

Same Subject in Both Clauses

Different Subjects in Clauses

3 Usage Examples and Variations

Practice Exercises

Basic Transition Pattern

Subject Placement Rules

Usage Examples and Variations