Concessive Structures — 虽然...但是 / 尽管...还是 / 即使...也
Master concessive conjunctions: 虽然...但是 (although...but), 尽管...还是 (despite...still), 即使...也 (even if...still). Understand the Chinese rule that both clauses need an explicit connective, unlike English, which forbids "although...but".
A lesson of Mandarin B1 — Intermediate, in Connectives & Complex Sentences, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will use three concessive conjunction pairs, understand the Chinese "double connective" rule, and express nuanced concessions in formal and informal speech.
What Is a Concessive Structure?
A concessive structure acknowledges one fact while asserting a contrasting or surprising conclusion: "Although it was raining, we still went." In English, you can say "Although A, B" or "A, but B" — but you generally don't say "Although A, but B."
Chinese works differently. Mandarin concessive structures typically use both conjunctions — one in each clause. This "double connective" pattern is a key feature of Chinese grammar.
Structure 1: 虽然...但是 (suīrán...dànshì)
Meaning: Although... / Even though... / But...
This is the most common and versatile concessive pair. It's used for real, factual concessions.
虽然 + Clause A (conceded fact) + 但是/可是/却 + Clause B (main point)
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 虽然今天下雨，但是我们还是去了。 | Suīrán jīntiān xià yǔ, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù le. | Although it was raining today, we still went. |
| 虽然他很努力，但是成绩不太好。 | Suīrán tā hěn nǔlì, dànshì chéngjì bú tài hǎo. | Although he works hard, his grades aren't great. |
| 这本书虽然很难，但是很有意思。 | Zhè běn shū suīrán hěn nán, dànshì hěn yǒu yìsi. | Although this book is difficult, it's very interesting. |
Variations on the second clause connector:
- 但是 (dànshì) — but (standard)
- 可是 (kěshì) — but (slightly softer, more spoken)
- 却 (què) — yet / however (literary/formal, no "but" in English; placed before the predicate)
Example with 却:
- 虽然他很累，却还是继续工作。(Although he was tired, he still kept working.)
Structure 2: 尽管...还是 (jǐnguǎn...háishì)
Meaning: Despite... / Even so, still...
尽管 is stronger than 虽然 — it implies the concession is significant, and the outcome is surprising or admirable.