Contrastive Sentence Groups in Chinese
转折复句
A contrastive sentence group presents a second clause that does not follow the expectation created by the first. Chinese can mark the relation with 但是, 可是, 不过, or 却, while context may sometimes make the contrast clear without a paired connective. The marker chosen also affects register and emphasis.
Published August 15, 2026
Reviewed August 15, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) + Clause 2
Read the structure
A contrastive sentence group presents a second clause that does not follow the expectation created by the first. Chinese can mark the relation with 但是, 可是, 不过, or 却, while context may sometimes make the contrast clear without a paired connective. The marker chosen also affects register and emphasis. Keep the model Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) + Clause 2 visible while you compare each sentence.
他年纪不大，经验却很丰富。
He is not old, yet he has rich experience.
Choose the right context
Present a result that contrasts with an earlier fact or expectation. Use 但是, 可是, 不过, or 却 to make the turn explicit. Leave a connective unspoken only when the contrast remains clear.
虽然今天下雨，但是比赛照常进行。
Although it is raining today, the match will continue as usual.
Respect the boundary
Do not label two merely parallel facts as contrastive. Do not place the contrast marker after an unfinished predicate. Do not claim every contrast requires 虽然 in the first clause.
虽然今天下雨，比赛但是照常进行。
(Although it rains, the match but proceeds.)
Repair the pattern
但是 is placed inside the second predicate: 但是 introduces the contrasting clause and precedes that clause's subject in this sentence. The second clause is missing: 不过 must introduce or connect to a recoverable contrasting proposition; it cannot end this sentence alone.
虽然今天下雨，但是比赛照常进行。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
他年纪不大，经验却很丰富。
He is not old, yet he has rich experience.
他
Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却)
This part occupies the Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) position in the model pattern.
年纪
Clause 2
This part occupies the Clause 2 position in the model pattern.
不大
Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却)
This part occupies the Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) position in the model pattern.
，
Clause 2
This part occupies the Clause 2 position in the model pattern.
经验
Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却)
This part occupies the Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) position in the model pattern.
却
Clause 2
This part occupies the Clause 2 position in the model pattern.
很
Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却)
This part occupies the Clause 1，(但是/可是/不过/却) position in the model pattern.
丰富
Clause 2
This part occupies the Clause 2 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
他年纪不大，经验却很丰富。
He is not old, yet he has rich experience.
虽然今天下雨，但是比赛照常进行。
Although it is raining today, the match will continue as usual.
我想去，不过今天没有时间。
I want to go, but I do not have time today.
这件衣服很好看，只是有点贵。
This clothing looks good; it is just a little expensive.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Present a result that contrasts with an earlier fact or expectation.
- Use 但是, 可是, 不过, or 却 to make the turn explicit.
- Leave a connective unspoken only when the contrast remains clear.
Do not use it when
- Do not label two merely parallel facts as contrastive.
- Do not place the contrast marker after an unfinished predicate.
- Do not claim every contrast requires 虽然 in the first clause.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
虽然今天下雨，比赛但是照常进行。
虽然今天下雨，但是比赛照常进行。
但是 is placed inside the second predicate
但是 introduces the contrasting clause and precedes that clause's subject in this sentence.
我想去，不过。
我想去，不过今天没有时间。
The second clause is missing
不过 must introduce or connect to a recoverable contrasting proposition; it cannot end this sentence alone.
虽然今天下雨，比赛但是照常进行。
但是 introduces the contrasting clause and precedes that clause's subject in this sentence.
我想去，不过。
不过 must introduce or connect to a recoverable contrasting proposition; it cannot end this sentence alone.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 转折复句.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 转折复句. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Contrastive Sentence Groups Questions
Must the first clause contain 虽然?
No. 虽然……但是…… is one explicit pair, but a contrastive relation can also use a single marker such as 却 or 不过, or occasionally rely on context.
Are 但是, 可是, and 不过 identical?
They overlap in marking contrast, but their register and discourse force differ. The page treats them as members of one relation family, not as perfectly interchangeable words.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 2 item 【二65】, PDF p. 195 (printed p. 189)
Places contrastive sentence groups at Level 2 and gives unmarked, 但是, 可是, and 虽然……但是…… examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Contrastive complex sentences, slide 58
Defines the second clause as reversing an expectation and lists 但是, 但, 然而, 可是, 只是, and 不过 as contrast markers.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
虽然…但是虽然...但是 (Although... But)
Continue from the general contrastive relation to the explicit 虽然但是 paired construction.
Compare
尽管…但是/可是…尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì)
Compare general expectation reversal with acknowledging a real obstacle through 尽管但是.
Compare
然而然而: Formal However
Distinguish the broad contrastive family from the formal written connector 然而.
Easy to confuse
却却: Unexpected Contrast
Compare clause-initial contrast markers with the adverb 却 placed before the contrasting predicate.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Continue from the general contrastive relation to the explicit 虽然但是 paired construction.