虽然...可是...
Reach for 虽然...可是... when you want to admit something and then push back in spoken, everyday Chinese — 'although X, but Y.' It's the most conversational version of the concession family. 可是 is softer than 但 or 但是, which is why this pair sounds friendly rather than argumentative. Use it in casual speech, friendly disagreement, and any moment when you want to be honest about a downside before delivering the upside (or the other way around).
Structure
虽然 [CONCESSION], 可是 [CONTRAST]
suīrán... kěshì...
How to Think About It
可是 is the gentlest 'but' in Chinese. Where 但是 sounds neutral and 不过 sounds offhand, 可是 has a slightly emotional, almost wistful edge — it's the 'but' you use when you genuinely wish the first clause weren't getting overturned. That makes 虽然...可是... the natural choice in friendly conversation, especially when the contrast is mildly disappointing or sympathetic. Both halves must be present: drop 可是 and the concession sits unfinished.
Examples
虽然今天很冷, 可是我还是要去跑步。
Suīrán jīntiān hěn lěng, kěshì wǒ háishì yào qù pǎobù.
Although it's cold today, I still want to go for a run.
虽然他不会说中文, 可是他听得懂。
Suīrán tā bù huì shuō Zhōngwén, kěshì tā tīng de dǒng.
Although he can't speak Chinese, he can understand it.
虽然我很累, 可是我睡不着。
Suīrán wǒ hěn lèi, kěshì wǒ shuì bù zháo.
Although I'm tired, I can't fall asleep.
Common Mistake
Learners reach for 但 or 但是 in conversation when 可是 would sound more natural, or drop 可是 entirely thinking 虽然 carries the meaning alone. In Chinese, the contrast marker is required — and in casual speech, 可是 is often the warmest choice.
虽然他不在, 我也很高兴。
虽然他不在, 可是我也很高兴。
Don't Confuse With
虽然...但是...
More neutral. 但是 sounds standard in both speech and writing; 可是 sounds slightly softer and warmer. Pick 可是 in casual, friendly contexts; 但是 when neutral or formal.
尽管...但...
Formal, written. 尽管 fits in essays and news. In daily conversation, 虽然...可是 sounds far more natural; 尽管...但 would sound stiff.
不过
不过 = 'however' on its own, no paired marker. 我喜欢, 不过太贵 = I like it, but it's too expensive. 可是 needs 虽然 as a setup; 不过 stands alone.
Practice
___ 这个菜有点辣, 可是很好吃。
Show answer
虽然
虽然他很忙, ___ 还是来帮我了。
Show answer
可是
Put in order: [虽然 / 可是 / 喜欢 / 我 / 它 / 贵 / 很]
Show answer
虽然它很贵, 可是我喜欢。
Translate to Chinese: 'Although she's young, she's very smart.'
Show answer
虽然她很年轻, 可是她很聪明。
Write a friendly sentence conceding a downside, using 虽然...可是....
Show answer
Example answer: 虽然学中文很难, 可是我觉得很有意思。 (Although learning Chinese is hard, I find it really interesting.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 虽然...可是... in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.