Expressing Contrast in Mandarin: 虽然...但是 and 可是
Learn to connect two contrasting ideas in Mandarin with 虽然...但是 (although...but) and 可是 (however), and see how this differs from cause-and-effect pairs like 因为...所以.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin, contrast is usually shown with paired connectors. The most common pair is 虽然...但是 (suī rán...dàn shì), meaning 'although...but'. English speakers often translate 'although' with 虽然 alone, but in natural Mandarin the second half is normally introduced by 但是 or 可是. This lesson teaches the basic pattern, shows where 可是 can stand alone as 'however', and contrasts it with cause-and-effect pairs such as 因为...所以 (because...so). You will practise short, realistic sentences at elementary level.
By the end, you can…
- join two contrasting ideas with 虽然...但是 in a simple sentence.
- use 可是 alone to mean 'however' at the start of a second clause.
- tell a contrast sentence apart from a cause-and-effect sentence with 因为...所以.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
虽然很晚，但是我们还在工作。
Although it was late, we were still working.
suī rán hěn wǎn, dàn shì wǒmen hái zài gōngzuò
The model contrast sentence. 虽然 opens the concession; 但是 introduces the surprising main point.
虽然下雨，可是我们出去了。
Although it was raining, we went out.
suī rán xià yǔ, kě shì wǒmen chū qù le
可是 can replace 但是 after 虽然 with the same contrast meaning, slightly more conversational.
他很累，可是他很高兴。
He was tired, but he was happy.
tā hěn lèi, kě shì tā hěn gāo xìng
可是 used alone as 'however' or 'but' between two clauses, without 虽然.
因为下雨，所以我们没去。
Because it rained, we didn't go.
yīn wèi xià yǔ, suǒ yǐ wǒmen méi qù
Cause and effect, not contrast. Compare this with the 虽然...但是 pattern.
虽然这个字很难，但是我记得。
Although this character is difficult, I remember it.
suī rán zhè ge zì hěn nán, dàn shì wǒ jì de
A useful study-related contrast: difficulty versus success.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 虽然 A，但是 B。 Here A is an admitted fact and B is the contrasting main point. For example, 虽然很晚，但是我们还在工作。 means 'Although it was late, we were still working.' 可是 can replace 但是: 虽然很晚，可是我们还在工作。 In everyday speech, 可是 alone can also connect two clauses without 虽然: 他很累，可是他很高兴。 'He was tired, but he was happy.' Notice that Mandarin does not drop the second connector the way English often drops 'but' after 'although'.
When to use it
Use 虽然...但是 or 虽然...可是 when you admit one fact and then present a result or opinion that seems to go against it. Use 可是 alone when the first clause is simply a statement and the second clause contrasts with it: 我想去，可是我没有时间。 'I want to go, but I do not have time.' Do not use 因为...所以 for these sentences, because 因为...所以 expresses cause and effect: 因为下雨，所以我们没去。 'Because it rained, we did not go.' Contrast pairs answer 'what is surprising here?'; cause pairs answer 'why did it happen?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
虽然今天很冷，但是我们还是去公园了。
Although it was cold today, we still went to the park.suī rán jīn tiān hěn lěng, dàn shì wǒmen hái shì qù gōngyuán le你们真厉害！可是你们不累吗？
You are impressive! But aren't you tired?nǐmen zhēn lìhai! kě shì nǐmen bú lèi ma很累，可是我们很高兴。
Very tired, but we were very happy.hěn lèi, kě shì wǒmen hěn gāo xìng因为天气冷，所以我没去。下次我也去。
Because the weather was cold, I did not go. Next time I will go too.yīn wèi tiān qì lěng, suǒ yǐ wǒ méi qù. xià cì wǒ yě qùA little context goes a long way
In Mandarin conversation, 虽然...但是 is common in both speech and writing, while 可是 is frequent in relaxed spoken exchanges. Using 虽然 without a second connector can sound unfinished to many listeners, so beginners should keep the pair together. In more formal writing, 然而 (rán ér) can replace 但是, but it is not needed at this level.
One thing to watch for
Writing 虽然很晚，我们还在工作。 with no 但是 or 可是.
Try this instead: Keep the second connector: 虽然很晚，但是我们还在工作。 or 虽然很晚，可是我们还在工作。 English allows 'Although it was late, we kept working,' but Mandarin normally needs 但是 or 可是 to close the contrast.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Combine into one contrast sentence: 这个字很难。我记得。
Show a sample answer
虽然这个字很难，但是我记得。
虽然 marks the admitted difficulty, and 但是 introduces the contrasting result. 可是 can also replace 但是.
2Is 因为下雨，所以我们没去 a contrast sentence or a cause-and-effect sentence?
Show a sample answer
It is a cause-and-effect sentence.
因为...所以 answers 'why', while contrast uses 虽然...但是 or 可是 to show a surprising opposite.
3Translate: 'He was tired, but he was happy.'
Show a sample answer
他很累，可是他很高兴。
Here 可是 alone works as 'but'. You could also say 虽然他很累，但是他很高兴, which adds the concession 'although'.
Use 虽然...但是 or 虽然...可是 for 'although...but', and 可是 alone for 'however'; keep 因为...所以 for cause and effect.
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