虽…，却… · …，虽然…
although (the written 虽, and 虽然 added as an afterthought)
Structure
主语 虽 A ， B 却／但 … ； 结论 ， 虽然 保留
What it means
“Although”: in writing, 虽 alone does the work of 虽然. 虽然 can also come second, as a reservation added after the main point.
How it is built
Subject + 虽 + A，B + 却／但／仍…: 这家店面积虽小，东西却很齐全 (the shop is small, but it has everything). Afterthought: main point，虽然 + reservation: 他决定试试，虽然希望很小.
When to use it
虽 is written and survives in set phrases such as 虽败犹荣. When 虽然 comes second, the first clause takes no 但是.
Watch out
✗ 虽孔子… ✓ 孔子虽…: 虽 goes after the subject. So does 却: ✗ 却效果很好 ✓ 效果却很好.
Examples
孔子生前虽未能实现政治抱负，死后的威望却越来越高。
Though Confucius never realised his political ambitions in his lifetime, his standing rose ever higher after his death.
这家店面积虽小，东西却很齐全。
The shop is small, but it has everything.
他最后还是决定试试，虽然成功的希望很小。
In the end he decided to give it a go, although the chances of success were slim.
Learn this in Lesson 86 · HSK 6–7: 孔子其人 (Confucius the man)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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