Concessive conjunction 虽然…但是… (although... yet...)

Pattern

• 虽然 + Clause 1，但是 + Clause 2

Usage

• 虽然…但是… (suīrán... dànshì...) is the most common concessive/adversative conjunction pair in Chinese.
• The first clause (虽然) concedes a fact, while the second clause (但是) states an outcome contrary to expectation.
• Example: 虽然天气很冷，但是我还是去跑步了 (Although the weather was very cold, I still went running).
• CRITICAL RULE FOR ENGLISH SPEAKERS: Unlike English (where you cannot say both 'although' and 'but' in the same sentence), Chinese REQUIRES 但是 (or a synonym like 可是, 不过, or 还是) in the second clause whenever 虽然 is used!
• Like 不但…而且…

Examples

1. 1

   虽然天气很冷,但是我还是去跑步了。

   Suīrán tiānqì hěn lěng, dànshì wǒ háishì qù pǎobù le.

   Although the weather was very cold, I still went for a run.

2. 2

   虽然这本书很贵,但是很好看。

   Suīrán zhè běn shū hěn guì, dànshì hěn hǎokàn.

   Although this book is very expensive, it is very good.

3. 3

   他虽然是中国人,但是不太会说普通话。

   Tā suīrán shì Zhōngguó rén, dànshì bú tài huì shuō pǔtōnghuà.

   Although he is Chinese, he cannot speak Mandarin very well.