conj.
although; even though
虽然
although; even though
Conjunction meaning 'although' or 'even though' (虽 although + 然 so/thus); introduces a concession, often paired with 但是.
Common Usage & Traps
- 虽然很累，但是很开心 — although very tired, still very happy
- 虽然下雨，可是我们还是去了 — although it rained, we still went
- 他虽然很忙，但是每天学习中文 — although he is busy, he studies Chinese every day
- 虽然贵，不过很好吃 — although expensive, it tastes really good
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虽然很累，很开心虽然很累，但是很开心The second clause needs a contrast word, or it sounds like two separate statements.
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虽然但是虽然……但是……Each word starts its own clause; jammed together it is meme slang, not standard HSK writing.
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虽然我很累，所以我不去虽然我很累，但是我还是去了虽然 pairs with a contrast, not a result; 所以 belongs with 因为.
Do you really need 但是 after 虽然?
Not always, but your second clause still needs a contrast word.
虽然 sets up a contrast, telling the listener that a surprise is coming. The second clause usually needs a contrast word like 但是, 可是, 不过, 还是, or 却. In very short casual lines, you can sometimes drop that contrast word. But for HSK 2, treat 但是 as part of the default pattern. If you skip it, a native speaker often waits for the other shoe to drop.
“可现在的茶馆虽然还是可以喝茶，但是去那儿的人大多不是老北京。” (But although you can still drink tea in today's teahouses, most people who go there aren't old-time Beijingers.)
“可现在的茶馆虽然还是可以喝茶，但是去那儿的人大多不是老北京。” (But although you can still drink tea in today's teahouses, most people who go there aren't old-time Beijingers.)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Needs contrast word | 虽然很累，但是很开心 | 虽然很累，很开心 |
| With still | 虽然下雨，我们还是去了 | 虽然下雨，我们去了 |
| Softer contrast | 虽然贵，不过很好吃 | 虽然贵，好吃 |
Does 虽然 mean 'but'?
No. 虽然 means 'although'; 但是 carries the 'but'.
虽然 never means 'but' by itself. It means 'although' or 'even though' at the start of a contrast. 但是 is the word that flips the sentence to the surprising result. If you use 虽然 as the flip, the contrast lands in the wrong spot. Example: 虽然很累，但是很开心 means 'although tired, still happy.'
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| If you mean although | 虽然很累，但是很开心 | 但是很累，虽然很开心 |
| If you mean but | 我很累，但是很开心 | 我很累，虽然很开心 |
Can I use 可是 or 不过 instead of 但是 after 虽然?
Yes. 但是 is the default, but 可是, 不过, and 但 work too.
但是 is the textbook default after 虽然. In daily speech, 可是 is softer and very common. 不过 is even softer, like 'though' in English. 但 is short and shows up a lot in writing. The contrast meaning stays the same, so pick the one that fits your tone.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Default contrast | 虽然很累，但是很开心 | 虽然很累，所以很开心 |
| Spoken contrast | 虽然很累，可是很开心 | 虽然很累，因此很开心 |
| Soft contrast | 虽然贵，不过很好吃 | 虽然贵，所以很好吃 |
| Writing contrast | 虽然价格高，但质量好 | 虽然价格高，因为质量好 |
Appears in Stories 3 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
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我的朋友说这个饭馆 虽然 很小，但是很有名。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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胡之适接到这封信，知道了他 虽然 只是一位卖饼干的，竟然能在业余勤奋自学；问的又是胡博士最关心的英美政治问题，更觉十分高兴，便立即亲自写了一封回信。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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可现在的茶馆 虽然 还是可以喝茶，但是去那儿的人大多不是老北京。
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