虽然...但是 (suīrán...dànshì) — Although...But
Expressing concession and contrast
Category: Grammar
The Rule
虽然 (suīrán, although) + Clause A, 但是 (dànshì, but) + Clause B. Unlike English, Chinese uses BOTH 'although' AND 'but' in the same sentence. Omitting 但是 is acceptable; omitting 虽然 is less common.
Why This Matters
In English, you say 'Although it rained, we went out' — you never add 'but' after 'although'. Chinese REQUIRES both connectors: 虽然...但是. This is one of the most common grammar errors for English speakers, who instinctively drop the 但是 because their English brain says 'although' already handles the contrast.
Examples
• 虽然很累，但是很开心。(Suīrán hěn lèi, dànshì hěn kāixīn.) — "Although (I'm) tired, (I'm) happy." [Both 虽然 and 但是 used together — mandatory in Chinese] • 虽然他很忙，但是他还是来了。(Suīrán tā hěn máng, dànshì tā háishi lái le.) — "Although he was busy, he still came." [还是 (háishi, still) adds emphasis to the contrast] • 虽然中文很难，但是我很喜欢。(Suīrán zhōngwén hěn nán, dànshì wǒ hěn xǐhuan.) — "Although Chinese is hard, I really like it." [Very relatable for learners!]
Common Mistakes
❌ 虽然很累，很开心。(dropping 但是) ✅ 虽然很累，但是很开心。 → English allows 'Although tired, I'm happy' without 'but'. Chinese requires 但是 (or its variants 可是/不过) after 虽然. Dropping it sounds incomplete. ❌ 虽然很累，所以休息了。(wrong logic connector) ✅ 因为很累，所以休息了。(because...so) → 虽然...但是 is for CONTRAST (although...but). 因为...所以 is for CAUSE-EFFECT (because...so). Don't mix them up.
Quick Tip
Chinese rule: 虽然 and 但是 are a PAIR. Always use both. Think of them as two halves of one structure.
Chinese rule: 虽然 and 但是 are a PAIR. Always use both. Think of them as two halves of one structure.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 虽然很累，很开心。(dropping 但是) → Correct: 虽然很累，但是很开心。. English allows 'Although tired, I'm happy' without 'but'. Chinese requires 但是 (or its variants 可是/不过) after 虽然. Dropping it sounds incomplete.
Incorrect: 虽然很累，所以休息了。(wrong logic connector) → Correct: 因为很累，所以休息了。(because...so). 虽然...但是 is for CONTRAST (although...but). 因为...所以 is for CAUSE-EFFECT (because...so). Don't mix them up.
Quiz
Why do English speakers often make mistakes with 虽然...但是?