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虽然

suī rán
HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 2 Conjunction Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. although; even though (often used correlatively with 可是kě shì or 但是dàn shì etc)

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Word relationships

Register variants

1 item
虽说
suī shuō

though

Colloquial variant of 虽然, common in spoken Mandarin

Related words

1 item
但是
dàn shì

but; however

Used together in '虽然…但是…' structure meaning 'although...but...'

Synonyms

1 item
尽管
jǐn guǎn

despite

Both mean 'although'; 尽管 is more formal and often used in written Chinese

Usage notes

Collocations

The pattern is 虽然 A, 但是/可是 B. Using 却 instead of 但是 emphasizes contrast: 他虽然有工作，却很懒.

Common mistakes

Although 虽然 means 'although', you must often pair it with 但是 or 可是 in the second clause, unlike English.

Grammar

Guides that feature 虽然

Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.

2 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min
哪怕...也... and 就算...也... for “Even If”

哪怕 and 就算 introduce an “even if” situation, and 也 in the second clause says the result stays the same.

Reading: suī rán Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 6 min
虽然...但是...

Make “although...but...” sentences that connect opposing ideas.

Reading: suī rán Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
虽然 你已经犯了错，但亡羊补牢，为时未晚。
Although you've made a mistake, it's not too late to mend.
虽然 下雨了，但是他还是去了。
Although it rained, he still went.
他 虽然 生病了，但照样去上班。
Although he was sick, he still went to work as usual.
他 虽然 很累，还是坚持完成了工作。
Although he was very tired, he still persevered and finished the work.
他 虽然 很有钱，但生活非常朴实。
Although he is very rich, his lifestyle is very simple.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 虽然

虽
suī

although

然
rán

correct