HSK 2

虽然

suīrán

although; even though (often used correlatively with 是 or 是 etc)

HSK 2 — —

Character Breakdown

虽

suī · although, even though

Radical: 虫 · 9strokes

Stroke order animation for 虽

然

rán · certainly

Radical: 灬 · 12strokes

Stroke order animation for 然

Usage of 虽然

'虽然' is a conjunction used to introduce a concessive clause, meaning 'although' or 'even though.' It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause and is commonly paired with '但是' or '可是' in the main clause to express contrast.

Common Patterns

These patterns emphasize the contrast between two ideas.

Nuances and Register

'虽然' is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Mandarin. It signals that the speaker acknowledges a fact but wants to highlight an opposing or unexpected result.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse '虽然' with '如果' (if). '虽然' introduces a fact that is true but contrasts with the main clause, while '如果' introduces a condition.

Collocations

  • 虽然困难 (although difficult) — used to acknowledge difficulty but proceed anyway
  • 虽然知道 (although knowing) — used to admit awareness but still act differently
  • 虽然是这样 (although it is so) — used to concede a point before presenting a counterpoint

Example Sentences

虽然天气不好，我们还是决定去爬山。

Suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen háishì juédìng qù páshān.

Although the weather is bad, we still decided to go hiking.

虽然他很忙，但总是抽时间陪家人。

Suīrán tā hěn máng, dàn zǒng shì chōu shíjiān péi jiārén.

Although he is very busy, he always finds time to be with his family.

虽然这道题很难，我还是想试试看。

Suīrán zhè dào tí hěn nán, wǒ háishì xiǎng shì shìkàn.

Although this question is difficult, I still want to try it.