虽然 (suīrán) — although / even though
HSK 4 | conjunction | although; even though; though
虽然 (suīrán)
虽然 is a conjunction that introduces a concessive clause, acknowledging one fact while contrasting it with another.
Meanings
- [conjunction] although; even though; though; while
Example Sentences
虽然很累，但他还是坚持完成了任务。 Suīrán hěn lèi, dàn tā háishi jiānchí wánchéng le rènwù. Although he was very tired, he still persisted and completed the task.
虽然这道菜看起来很普通，但味道非常好。 Suīrán zhè dào cài kànqǐlái hěn pǔtōng, dàn wèidào fēicháng hǎo. Although this dish looks ordinary, it tastes excellent.
她虽然年纪小，但非常成熟。 Tā suīrán niánjì xiǎo, dàn fēicháng chéngshú. Although she is young, she is very mature.
虽然失败了，我们也不放弃。 Suīrán shībài le, wǒmen yě bù fàngqì. Even though we failed, we will not give up.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…) | although…but… |
| 虽然…却… (suīrán…què…) | although…yet… |
| 虽然如此 (suīrán rúcǐ) | even so; nevertheless |
| 虽然…也… (suīrán…yě…) | even though…still… |
Usage Notes
虽然 almost always pairs with 但是 (dànshì) or 但 (dàn) in the second clause, forming the pattern 虽然…但是… This is one of the most important B1 grammar patterns. Note that in English you cannot say "although…but…," but in Chinese, omitting 但 feels incomplete. 虽然 can appear at the beginning of a sentence or after the subject.
Memory Hook
虽 has the character for "even" and 然 means "so/thus" — "even so" or "even though that is the case," something else is still true.