虽然雖然 suīrán — although, even though
suīrán (first tone, high and level)sui1ran2
Traditional: 雖然
although, even though
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)conjunction
Meanings
although, even though
Introduces a concession, and Chinese keeps both halves of the pair: 虽然… 但是…. Unlike English, the second connector is not dropped.
conjunction
Example sentences
- 虽然很累，但是我很高兴。雖然很累，但是我很高興。Suīrán (first tone, high and level) hěn (third tone, dipping) lèi, (fourth tone, falling) dànshì (fourth tone, falling) wǒ (third tone, dipping) hěn (third tone, dipping) gāoxìng. (first tone, high and level)···
Although I’m tired, I’m very happy.
- 虽然他很忙，但是他每天都跑步。雖然他很忙，但是他每天都跑步。Suīrán (first tone, high and level) tā (first tone, high and level) hěn (third tone, dipping) máng, (second tone, rising) dànshì (fourth tone, falling) tā (first tone, high and level) měi (third tone, dipping) tiān (first tone, high and level) dōu (first tone, high and level) pǎobù. (third tone, dipping)···
Even though he’s busy, he goes running every day.
Common mistakes
Not quite虽然他很忙，他每天都跑步。
Correct虽然他很忙，但是他每天都跑步。
Chinese connectors come in pairs. Having opened with 虽然, the second clause needs 但是 or 可是 — dropping it, as English does, leaves the sentence unfinished.