固然...但是: Granted, Yet in Chinese
固然…但是
固然...但是... concedes that the first point is true or reasonable before the second clause introduces a more important contrast, limit, or reservation. 固然 normally scopes over the conceded claim, while 但是, 可是, or 不过 opens the speaker's main point. The paired form is common in formal argument and careful comparison.
Published July 15, 2026
Reviewed July 15, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
A + 固然 + Predicate, 但是/可是/不过 + B
Read the structure
固然...但是... concedes that the first point is true or reasonable before the second clause introduces a more important contrast, limit, or reservation. 固然 normally scopes over the conceded claim, while 但是, 可是, or 不过 opens the speaker's main point. The paired form is common in formal argument and careful comparison. Keep the model A + 固然 + Predicate, 但是/可是/不过 + B visible while you compare each sentence.
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
This method is effective, but it costs too much.
Choose the right context
To acknowledge a valid point before stating an important limit: 这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。 To weigh two factors while giving the second more argumentative weight: 聪明固然重要，不过坚持更关键。 In careful spoken or written argument; 可是 often carries a stronger turn, while 不过 can introduce a milder reservation.
数据固然有限，不过已经能说明趋势。
The data is limited, but it can already show the trend.
Respect the boundary
When the second clause merely repeats the first; the construction needs a contrast, limit, or reservation worth foregrounding. By putting 固然 and 但是 together before the conceded claim; they introduce different parts of the relation. Do not treat 固然...也... as automatically wrong. GF0025-2021 lists that concessive pattern separately, while this card focuses on the contrast form.
固然但是这个办法有效，成本太高。
(This method is effective, but it costs too much.)
Repair the pattern
Both markers placed before the conceded claim: 固然 belongs with the claim being conceded, while 但是 opens the main contrast. They cannot stand together before the first claim. 固然 left without a conceded predicate: The first clause must state what is being conceded. Add a predicate such as 有效 before moving to the 但是 clause.
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
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.
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
This method is effective, but it costs too much.
这个
A
This part occupies the A position in the model pattern.
办法
固然
This part occupies the 固然 position in the model pattern.
固然
Predicate, 但是/可是/不过
This part occupies the Predicate, 但是/可是/不过 position in the model pattern.
有效
B
This part occupies the B position in the model pattern.
，
A
This part occupies the A position in the model pattern.
但是
固然
This part occupies the 固然 position in the model pattern.
成本
Predicate, 但是/可是/不过
This part occupies the Predicate, 但是/可是/不过 position in the model pattern.
太高
B
This part occupies the B 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.
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
This method is effective, but it costs too much.
数据固然有限，不过已经能说明趋势。
The data is limited, but it can already show the trend.
速度固然重要，可是安全更不能忽视。
Speed matters, but safety is even harder to ignore.
这项改革固然带来了便利，但也增加了管理难度。
The reform brought convenience, but it also made management harder.
他的经验固然丰富，判断也不一定每次都正确。
His experience is extensive, but his judgment is not necessarily right every time.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To acknowledge a valid point before stating an important limit: 这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
- To weigh two factors while giving the second more argumentative weight: 聪明固然重要，不过坚持更关键。
- In careful spoken or written argument; 可是 often carries a stronger turn, while 不过 can introduce a milder reservation.
Do not use it when
- When the second clause merely repeats the first; the construction needs a contrast, limit, or reservation worth foregrounding.
- By putting 固然 and 但是 together before the conceded claim; they introduce different parts of the relation.
- Do not treat 固然...也... as automatically wrong. GF0025-2021 lists that concessive pattern separately, while this card focuses on the contrast form.
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.
固然但是这个办法有效，成本太高。
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
Both markers placed before the conceded claim
固然 belongs with the claim being conceded, while 但是 opens the main contrast. They cannot stand together before the first claim.
这个办法固然，但是成本太高。
这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
固然 left without a conceded predicate
The first clause must state what is being conceded. Add a predicate such as 有效 before moving to the 但是 clause.
固然但是这个办法有效，成本太高。
Put 固然 in the conceded clause and 但是 before the contrast: 这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
这个办法固然，但是成本太高。
固然 needs the conceded predicate: 这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。
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 固然…但是.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 固然…但是. 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
固然...但是: Granted, Yet Questions
What does 固然...但是... mean?
It first grants that one point is true or reasonable, then presents a contrast, restriction, or more important consideration. The speaker's main point normally comes in the second clause.
What is the difference between 固然 and 虽然?
Both can introduce a concession. 固然 often presents the first point as something the speaker is explicitly willing to grant, which suits careful argument, while 虽然 is broader and more common in everyday concessive sentences.
Must 固然 be followed by 但是?
No. 可是, 不过, 但, and other contrast markers can introduce the second clause, and 固然...也... is also an established pattern. Choose the continuation that matches the intended relation and tone.
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.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 固然…但是
Supports the learner-facing account of where 固然…但是 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 固然…但是
Cross-checks the A + 固然 + Predicate, 但是/可是/不过 + B pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese 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, combined Levels 7–9 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 8 as an internal subdivision of the official advanced band; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
虽然…但是虽然...但是 (Although... But)
Compare formal acknowledgment with a more neutral concessive frame.
Compare
未免未免: A Softened Objection
Compare acknowledging a valid point with evaluating a situation as somewhat excessive.
Easy to confuse
固然……，也……固然…也… for Conceding a Fact Without Reversing Course
Keep 固然 fixed while contrasting an adversative turn with an additive second judgment.
Continue learning
虽…但/可/却/也…虽...但...: Concise Although
Move from the full neutral frame to a compact formal concessive pattern.
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Compare
Compare acknowledging a valid point with evaluating a situation as somewhat excessive.