The concession frame: "Although X is true, nevertheless Y." Grants a premise, then pivots to the point that matters — one of the most important logical connectives in Mandarin.
字源zìyuánEtymology — 虽 and 但 Unpacked
字源洞见 zìyuán dòngjiàn · Etymological Insight
虽 suī is an ancient concessive particle. Its original form showed a type of insect — an animal that buzzes and distracts, something small that nonetheless demands attention. In classical Chinese, 虽 alone carried the full meaning: "even though; even if." It pairs with 然 rán (thus; so) to form 虽然 suīrán — "even though it is thus." 然 is a pointing word: that being so, acknowledging this to be so.
但 dàn originally meant "only; merely; just." Its classical sense was restrictive. In modern Mandarin, it pivots to mean "but; however; yet" — the word that changes direction. Paired with 是 shì as 但是, it becomes the standard formal "but."
The full construction 虽然…但是 is a complete logical unit: acknowledge the conceded premise (虽然), then assert the overriding conclusion (但是). The rhetorical power is in the pivot — Chinese discourse typically grants what cannot be denied before making its real point.
句型框架jùxíng kuàngjiàStructure — The Concession Frame
基本框架 jīběn kuàngjià · Basic Frame虽然 [conceded premise A]，但是 [real point B]
"Although A is true, B is what actually matters."
语法 yǔfǎ · Subject Position
When both clauses share a subject: the subject comes before 虽然, not after: 他虽然很忙，但是还是来了 (He, although very busy, still came). When the clauses have different subjects, each subject follows its conjunction: 虽然天气很冷，但是大家都出来了 (Although the weather was cold, everyone came out anyway).
例句lìjùExamples
虽然…但是 (basic)suīrán … dànshìalthough … but
Conj 连词 liáncí
The foundational concession pattern. 虽然 grants something true; 但是 asserts what is more important or what overrides it. The pivot is the rhetorical heart of Chinese argumentation.
虽然他很努力，但是结果还是不理想。
Suīrán tā hěn nǔlì, dànshì jiéguǒ hái shì bù lǐxiǎng.
Although he worked very hard, the result was still not ideal.
Although this piece of clothing is expensive, the quality is excellent.
虽然我们分开了，但是我永远记得你。
Suīrán wǒmen fēnkāi le, dànshì wǒ yǒngyuǎn jìde nǐ.
Although we've parted, I will always remember you.
他虽然说得好，但是做得不如说的。
Tā suīrán shuō de hǎo, dànshì zuò de bùrú shuō de.
Although he speaks well, his actions don't match his words.
让步连词家族ràngbù liáncí jiāzúVariants — The Concession Family
尽管…还是/仍然jǐnguǎn … háishì / réngrándespite … still; even so … still
Conj 连词 liáncí
尽管 jǐnguǎn (despite; even though) + 还是/仍然 (still/nevertheless). Similar to 虽然…但是 but with a stronger sense of "despite all that" — the conceded circumstance is more emphatic, the result more surprising.
尽管下着大雨，她还是按时来了。
Jǐnguǎn xià zhe dà yǔ, tā háishì ànshí lái le.
Despite the heavy rain, she still arrived on time.
即使…也jíshǐ … yěeven if … still; even were it the case that
Conj 连词 liáncí
即使 jíshǐ (even if; even supposing) + 也 yě (also; still). A hypothetical concession — "even if X were true, Y would still follow." Unlike 虽然 (which grants something actually true), 即使 can refer to a hypothetical or extreme case.
即使很难，我也不会放弃。
Jíshǐ hěn nán, wǒ yě bù huì fàngqì.
Even if it is very difficult, I still won't give up.
辨析biànxī虽然 vs. 尽管 vs. 即使
结构 Jiégòu
前提 Qiántí
语气 Yǔqì
典型语境
虽然…但是
factually true
neutral concession; standard
everyday writing and speech
尽管…还是
factually true; emphatic
"despite all" — stronger sense of obstacle overcome
when the concession involves real difficulty
即使…也
hypothetical or extreme
resolute; "even in the most extreme case"
declarations of resolve; arguments about edge cases
相邻词汇xiānglín cíhuìAdjacent Vocabulary — Concession Family
但是dànshìbut; however (formal)可是kěshìbut; however (spoken)然而rán'érnevertheless; yet (literary)尽管jǐnguǎndespite; even though即使jíshǐeven if (hypothetical)哪怕nǎpàeven if; no matter how (spoken)不过búguòhowever; but (softer pivot)还是háishìstill; nevertheless; would rather