虽然suī ránalthough; even though
虽然 (suī rán) means “although” or “even though”. It is a conjunction that opens a concession clause and is usually followed by 但是 or 可是 in the next clause. Unlike English “although”, Chinese typically keeps the “but” word after 虽然 to introduce the contrasting idea.
What does 虽然 mean?
- 1.
although; even thoughconjunction
What do the characters in 虽然 mean?
- 虽although; even though
- 然so; thus
How do you use 虽然?
Grammar patterns
- 1
虽然⋯⋯，但是/可是⋯⋯
虽然 marks a concession in the first clause; 但是 or 可是 introduces the contrasting result. Unlike English “although”, Chinese usually keeps the “but” word.
虽然 often starts the concession clause, and it can pair with 但是 or 可是; the “but” part is usually kept in Chinese.
Patterns
虽然…，但是…
虽然外面很冷，但是里面很暖和。
Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, dànshì lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.
Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.
虽然…，可是…
虽然他家很有钱，可是他从来不浪费钱。
Suīrán tā jiā hěn yǒuqián, kěshì tā cónglái bù làngfèi qián.
Even though his family is rich, he never wastes money.
What are some examples of 虽然 in a sentence?
虽然外面很冷，可是里面很暖和。
Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, kěshì lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.
Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.
虽然这件衣服有点贵，但是质量很好。
Suīrán zhè jiàn yīfu yǒudiǎn guì, dànshì zhìliàng hěn hǎo.
Although this piece of clothing is a little expensive, the quality is good.
虽然他不想去，但是还是去了。
Suīrán tā bù xiǎng qù, dànshì háishì qù le.
Although he didn't want to go, he still went.
虽然我认识他很长时间了，但是我还是不了解他。
Suīrán wǒ rènshi tā hěn cháng shíjiān le, dànshì wǒ háishì bù liǎojiě tā.
Although I've known him for a long time, I still don't know him well.
How is 虽然 different from 但是?
虽然 opens the concession clause (“although…”). 但是 (dàn shì) opens the contrasting clause that follows (“but…”).
Only 虽然 fits here
虽然外面很冷，但是里面很暖和。
Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, dànshì lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.
Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.
How is 虽然 used in a conversation?
- Speaker A:
外面冷不冷？
Wàimiàn lěng bu lěng?
Is it cold outside?
- Speaker B:
虽然外面很冷，但是里面很暖和。
Suīrán wàimiàn hěn lěng, dànshì lǐmiàn hěn nuǎnhuo.
Although it's cold outside, it's warm inside.
- Speaker A:
你还想出去吗？
Nǐ hái xiǎng chūqù ma?
Do you still want to go out?
- Speaker B:
虽然我想出去，但是今天太晚了。
Suīrán wǒ xiǎng chūqù, dànshì jīntiān tài wǎn le.
Although I want to go out, it's too late today.
Can you use 虽然 correctly?
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Related words
- 但是dàn shìbut; howeverHSK 2
- 因为yīn wèibecauseHSK 2
- 所以suǒ yǐtherefore; as a result; soHSK 2
- 如果rú guǒif; in case; in the event thatHSK 3
- 还是hái shior (in questions; offering a choice)HSK 2
- 然后rán hòuthen; after that; afterwardsHSK 3
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English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.