Conjunction Pair 虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…) – Although… Yet / But…

Pattern

• 虽然 + Clause 1 ，但是 + Clause 2
• 虽然 + Clause 1 ，可是 + Clause 2

Usage

• The correlative pair 虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…) denotes a concession followed by an adversarial turn, translating into English as 'although / even though... but / nevertheless...'.
• The first clause initiated by 虽然 acknowledges a known reality or fact, while the second clause introduced by 但是 presents an unexpected or contrasting twist that counters normal expectations.
• The structure is: 虽然 + Clause 1, 但是 + Clause 2.
• For instance: 虽然他很累，但是他还在工作 ('Although he is exhausted, he is still working').
• In Chinese, it is fully grammatical and customary to use both conjunctions in tandem.

Examples

1. 1

   虽然他很累,但是还在工作。

   Suīrán tā hěn lèi, dànshì hái zài gōngzuò.

   Although he is very tired, he is still working.

2. 2

   虽然下雨了,但是我们还是去了。

   Suīrán xià yǔ le, dànshì wǒmen háishi qù le.

   Although it rained, we still went.

3. 3

   虽然汉语很难,但是很有意思。

   Suīrán Hànyǔ hěn nán, dànshì hěn yǒu yìsi.

   Although Chinese is difficult, it is very interesting.

4. 4