虽然……，但是……
although A, (still) B
Structure
虽然 A ，但是／可是／但 B · 主语 + 虽然 A ，但是 B
What it means
“Although A, (still) B”: 虽然 marks the part you accept, and 但是 brings in what is still true.
How it is built
虽然 + A，但是／可是／但 + B: 虽然这个手机有点儿贵，但是很好看 (Although this phone is a bit pricey, it looks great).
When to use it
虽然 can go before or after the subject (虽然他… / 他虽然…); 但是 always opens the second half. 可是 and the short 但 work too, often with 还是: 但我们还是去爬山了.
Watch out
English uses “although” or “but”, never both; Chinese normally keeps both. ✗ 虽然便宜，不好。 ✓ 虽然便宜，但是不好。
Examples
虽然这个手机有点儿贵，但是很好看。
Although this phone is a bit pricey, it looks great.
他虽然是英国人，可是汉语说得很好。
Although he’s British, he speaks Chinese very well.
外边虽然很冷，但我们还是去爬山了。
Although it was cold out, we still went hiking.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 19: 网上买手机 (Shopping online)
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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