1. Meaning and Usage
The structure "雖然...但/可是/卻..." is used to express a concession or a contrast between two clauses, similar to "although... but/yet..." or "even though... still..." in English. The first clause (introduced by 雖然) presents a fact or situation, and the second clause (introduced by 但/可是/卻) presents an unexpected, contrasting, or sometimes contrary result or situation.
2. Formulas and Examples
Case 1: General Concession and Contrast (雖然...但/可是...)
This is the most common usage, expressing a straightforward "although... yet/but..." relationship. 但 (dàn) and 可是 (kěshì) are largely interchangeable in this context, with 可是 sometimes carrying a slightly stronger emphasis than 但.
Formula
$$雖然 + Clause 1, 但/可是 + Clause 2$$
Examples
雖然這件衣服很貴，但是質量很好。 Suīrán zhè jiàn yīfu hěn guì, dànshì zhìliàng hěn hǎo. Although this piece of clothing is expensive, its quality is very good.
雖然他學習很努力，可是成績還是不理想。 Suīrán tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, kěshì chéngjì háishì bù lǐxiǎng. Although he studies very hard, his grades are still not ideal.
Case 2: Emphasizing an Unexpected or Strong Contrast (雖然...卻...)
卻 (què) emphasizes that the outcome in the second clause is contrary to expectation, surprising, or presents a stronger contrast than what 但 or 可是 might imply. 卻 often highlights a sense of "nevertheless" or "on the contrary." It can appear at the beginning of the second clause, or more commonly, after the subject but before the verb/predicate.
Formula
$$雖然 + Clause 1, 卻 + Clause 2$$ or $$雖然 + Clause 1, (Subject) + 卻 + Verb/Adjective + ...$$
Examples
雖然下著雨，我卻想出去走走。 Suīrán xiàzhe yǔ, wǒ què xiǎng chūqù zǒuzǒu. Although it's raining, I still want to go out for a walk. (Unexpected desire)
雖然他聽到了，卻沒有聽懂。 Suīrán tā tīngdào le, què méiyǒu tīng dǒng. Although he heard it, he didn't understand it. (Strong contrast to expectation)
雖然這道菜看起來很簡單，做起來卻很難。 Suīrán zhè dào cài kàn qǐlái hěn jiǎndān, zuò qǐlái què hěn nán. Although this dish looks very simple, it is actually quite difficult to make. (Contrary to appearance)
3. Essential HSK Tips & Common Mistakes
Do NOT omit 但/可是/卻 : A common mistake for English speakers is to omit the second part of the structure (但/可是/卻) because in English, using "although" and "but" together ("Although it was raining, but I went out") is grammatically incorrect. In Chinese, however, the pairing of
雖然with但/可是/卻is not only correct but almost always necessary to form a complete concessive clause.[Incorrect] 雖然她很忙，她不介意幫助別人。 Suīrán tā hěn máng, tā bù jièyì bāngzhù biérén. (Although she is busy, she doesn't mind helping others.) [Correct] 雖然她很忙，但是她不介意幫助別人。 Suīrán tā hěn máng, dànshì tā bù jièyì bāngzhù biérén. (Although she is busy, she doesn't mind helping others.)
卻placement : Remember that卻often appears after the subject of the second clause or before the main verb/adjective if the subject is omitted (because it's the same as the first clause).[Correct] 雖然工作很累，我卻感到很開心。 Suīrán gōngzuò hěn lèi, wǒ què gǎndào hěn kāixīn. (Although the work is tiring, I feel very happy.) [Correct] 雖然工作很累，卻感到很開心。 Suīrán gōngzuò hěn lèi, què gǎndào hěn kāixīn. (Although the work is tiring, [I] feel very happy.) [Less common/can be slightly awkward in some contexts at the beginning of the clause] 雖然工作很累，卻我感到很開心。 Suīrán gōngzuò hěn lèi, què wǒ gǎndào hěn kāixīn.
雖然can sometimes be omitted : In very informal speech or when the context makes the concessive relationship extremely clear,雖然can sometimes be omitted. However, for HSK exams and formal writing, it's safer and generally expected to include雖然.HSK Focus: HSK questions often test your ability to correctly pair
雖然with its corresponding conjunction (但,可是,卻) and to understand the nuanced difference, especially with卻implying unexpectedness. Pay attention to context clues that suggest a strong or surprising contrast.