然而 rán'ér — however, yet, nevertheless
rán (second tone, rising) ér (second tone, rising)ran2er2
however, yet, nevertheless
HSK 4· HSK 1–4 (classic)conjunction
Meanings
however, yet, nevertheless
A formal turn against what was just said — 然 so, thus, 而 and yet. It belongs to writing and to careful speech; in everyday conversation 但是 does the same job.
conjunction
Example sentences
- 这个办法很简单，然而效果不好。這個辦法很簡單，然而效果不好。Zhège (fourth tone, falling) bànfǎ (fourth tone, falling) hěn (third tone, dipping) jiǎndān, (third tone, dipping) rán (second tone, rising) ér (second tone, rising) xiàoguǒ (fourth tone, falling) bù (fourth tone, falling) hǎo. (third tone, dipping)···
This method is simple; however, the results aren’t good.
- 天气很冷，然而他还是去跑步了。天氣很冷，然而他還是去跑步了。Tiānqì (first tone, high and level) hěn (third tone, dipping) lěng, (third tone, dipping) rán (second tone, rising) ér (second tone, rising) tā (first tone, high and level) háishi (second tone, rising) qù (fourth tone, falling) pǎobù (third tone, dipping) le. (neutral tone)···
The weather is cold; nevertheless, he still went running.
Common mistakes
Not quite他很聪明，然而很努力。
Correct他很聪明，而且很努力。
然而 signals a contrast, not an addition — despite the shared 而, it does not stand in for 而且 "moreover". Two compatible qualities are added with 而且; only a genuine turn against expectation takes 然而.