然而 (rán'ér)

然而 is a formal conjunction used to introduce a contrasting or unexpected statement, connecting two ideas where the second is in conflict with or different from the first.

Meanings

[conj] however; yet; but; nevertheless; nonetheless

Example Sentences

他花了大量时间准备面试。然而，结果却令人失望。 Tā huāle dàliàng shíjiān zhǔnbèi miànshì. Rán'ér, jiéguǒ què lìng rén shīwàng. He spent a lot of time preparing for the interview. However, the result was disappointing.

科技的进步带来了许多便利。然而，它也引发了一些新的问题。 Kējì de jìnbù dài lái le xǔduō biànlì. Rán'ér, tā yě yǐnfāle yīxiē xīn de wèntí. Technological progress has brought many conveniences. However, it has also triggered some new problems.

这部电影获得了极高的票房收入，然而口碑却不尽如人意。 Zhè bù diànyǐng huòdéle jí gāo de piàofáng shōurù, rán'ér kǒubēi què bù jìn rú rén yì. This film achieved extremely high box office revenue; however, its reputation was not satisfactory.

研究人员努力寻找解决方案，然而问题比预期的更为复杂。 Yánjiū rényuán nǔlì xúnzhǎo jiějué fāng'àn, rán'ér wèntí bǐ yùqī de gèngwéi fùzá. Researchers worked hard to find solutions; however, the problem was more complex than expected.

政府投入了大量资源来改善教育条件，然而城乡之间的差距依然存在。 Zhèngfǔ tóurùle dàliàng zīyuán lái gǎishàn jiàoyù tiáojiàn, rán'ér chénng xiāng zhījiān de chājù yīrán cúnzài. The government invested significant resources to improve educational conditions; however, the gap between urban and rural areas still exists.

他看起来信心十足，然而内心却充满了忐忑与不安。 Tā kàn qǐlái xìnxīn shízú, rán'ér nèixīn què chōngmǎnle tǎntè yǔ bù'ān. He appeared full of confidence; however, inside he was filled with nervousness and unease.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
然而事实上	however, in fact
然而却	however, on the contrary
尽管如此，然而	despite this, however
然而问题是	however, the problem is
然而不幸的是	however, unfortunately
然而结果	however, the result

Usage Notes

然而 is more formal than 但是 (dànshì) or 可是 (kěshì), both of which simply mean "but." 然而 appears primarily in written Chinese, formal speeches, and academic or journalistic texts. It typically begins a new sentence or clause and signals that the upcoming information contradicts or qualifies the previous statement.

While 但是 and 可是 can appear mid-sentence after a comma, 然而 more commonly begins a new sentence in formal prose. Its formal register makes it suitable for essays, reports, and formal arguments.

Memory Hook

然 = so/thus (as in 既然 -- since, 当然 -- of course), 而 = but/yet/and (as in 而且 -- moreover) -- "it is so, YET..." -- however.