虽然 (suīrán) ... 但是 (dànshì) ...
Reach for this when you want to admit something is true but still push back against its expected consequence — 'although X, still Y.' 虽然 opens the concession; 但是 (or 可是 / 不过) introduces the contrast that matters more. It's the standard way to acknowledge a point while disagreeing with what it implies. Used constantly in opinion, debate, and any time you want to grant ground without giving in.
Structure
虽然 [CONCESSION], 但是 [CONTRAST]
suīrán... dànshì...
How to Think About It
Chinese keeps BOTH halves of the contrast. Where English picks 'although' OR 'but,' Chinese says both — dropping 但是 makes the sentence feel like it's leaning into the concession instead of pushing back. The second clause is the point you actually care about; the first is just the ground you're conceding before you make it.
Examples
虽然外面下雨, 但是我还想出去。
Suīrán wàimiàn xià yǔ, dànshì wǒ hái xiǎng chūqù.
Although it's raining outside, I still want to go out.
虽然他很忙, 但是他每天都给妈妈打电话。
Suīrán tā hěn máng, dànshì tā měitiān dōu gěi māma dǎ diànhuà.
Although he's very busy, he calls his mom every day.
这个菜虽然便宜, 但是很好吃。
Zhège cài suīrán piányi, dànshì hěn hǎochī.
Although this dish is cheap, it's very tasty.
Common Mistake
Learners translate 'although' word-for-word and drop 但是, since in English you'd never write 'Although it's cheap, but it's good.' In Chinese, both halves stay — leaving out 但是 sounds unfinished.
虽然他很累, 他还在工作。
虽然他很累, 但是他还在工作。
Don't Confuse With
可是 / 不过
可是 and 不过 can replace 但是; 不过 is the softest. The structure 虽然...不过... is fine. Pick by tone, not meaning.
尽管...但是...
Same meaning, slightly more formal. Use 尽管 in writing or when the concession is more striking.
因为...所以...
因为 says the first clause causes the second. 虽然 says the first clause should have stopped the second — but didn't.
Practice
____外面下雨, 但是我还想出去。
Show answer
虽然
虽然这个菜便宜, ____很好吃。
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但是
Arrange: 他 / 但是 / 给妈妈 / 虽然 / 打电话 / 每天 / 很忙 / 都
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虽然他很忙, 但是他每天都给妈妈打电话。
Although it was simple, everyone was very happy.
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虽然很简单, 但是大家都很高兴。
Write a sentence using 虽然...但是... about your experience learning Chinese.
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虽然汉字很难, 但是我很喜欢学。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: