尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì) in Chinese
尽管…但是/可是…
尽管...但是/可是... concedes that the first fact is true and then presents a result that contrasts with the expectation created by that fact. 尽管 introduces the concession; 但是 or 可是 introduces the main point. The second marker is common but may be omitted when the contrast is already clear.
Published July 17, 2026
Reviewed July 17, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
尽管 + Fact, 但是/可是 + Result
Read the structure
尽管...但是/可是... concedes that the first fact is true and then presents a result that contrasts with the expectation created by that fact. 尽管 introduces the concession; 但是 or 可是 introduces the main point. The second marker is common but may be omitted when the contrast is already clear. Keep the model 尽管 + Fact, 但是/可是 + Result visible while you compare each sentence.
尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。
Although it was raining, the match did not stop.
Choose the right context
To concede a real obstacle before the main result: 尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。 To acknowledge one view before disagreeing: 尽管这个办法简单，可是成本太高。 With different subjects in the two clauses: 尽管我提醒过他，他还是忘了。
尽管这个办法简单，可是成本太高。
Although this method is simple, it costs too much.
Respect the boundary
When the first clause is rejected rather than conceded; use 不是...而是... for correction. Do not stack 尽管 and 但是 before the conceded fact. Do not mark omission of 但是 or 可是 as automatically wrong; 仍然, 还是, or context can carry the contrast.
尽管但是天气很冷，我们按时出发了。
(Although it was cold, we left on time.)
Repair the pattern
尽管 and 但是 are stacked before the conceded fact: 尽管 introduces the conceded fact 天气很冷; 但是 belongs before the contrasting result 我们按时出发了. 但是 is placed after the result-clause subject: As the connector between the two clauses, 但是 comes before the result-clause subject 我们 in this sentence.
尽管天气很冷，但是我们按时出发了。
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.
尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。
Although it was raining, the match did not stop.
尽管
尽管
This part occupies the 尽管 position in the model pattern.
下着雨
Fact, 但是/可是
This part occupies the Fact, 但是/可是 position in the model pattern.
，
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
但是
尽管
This part occupies the 尽管 position in the model pattern.
比赛
Fact, 但是/可是
This part occupies the Fact, 但是/可是 position in the model pattern.
没有
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
停
尽管
This part occupies the 尽管 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.
尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。
Although it was raining, the match did not stop.
尽管这个办法简单，可是成本太高。
Although this method is simple, it costs too much.
尽管我提醒过他，他还是忘了。
Although I reminded him, he still forgot.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To concede a real obstacle before the main result: 尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。
- To acknowledge one view before disagreeing: 尽管这个办法简单，可是成本太高。
- With different subjects in the two clauses: 尽管我提醒过他，他还是忘了。
Do not use it when
- When the first clause is rejected rather than conceded; use 不是...而是... for correction.
- Do not stack 尽管 and 但是 before the conceded fact.
- Do not mark omission of 但是 or 可是 as automatically wrong; 仍然, 还是, or context can carry the contrast.
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.
尽管但是天气很冷，我们按时出发了。
尽管天气很冷，但是我们按时出发了。
尽管 and 但是 are stacked before the conceded fact
尽管 introduces the conceded fact 天气很冷; 但是 belongs before the contrasting result 我们按时出发了.
尽管天气很冷，我们但是按时出发了。
尽管天气很冷，但是我们按时出发了。
但是 is placed after the result-clause subject
As the connector between the two clauses, 但是 comes before the result-clause subject 我们 in this sentence.
尽管但是天气很冷，我们按时出发了。
Separate the two markers: 尽管天气很冷，但是我们按时出发了。
尽管天气很冷，我们但是按时出发了。
Put 但是 before the result-clause subject: 但是我们按时出发了。
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 尽管…但是/可是….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 尽管…但是/可是…. 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
尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì) Questions
What is the difference between 尽管...但是... and 虽然...但是...?
Both introduce a conceded fact followed by a contrasting result. 尽管 can sound slightly more emphatic or formal in some contexts, but their functions overlap substantially.
Can 但是 be omitted after 尽管?
Yes. The second clause may use 还是, 仍然, 却, or no overt contrast marker when the relationship is clear. Its omission alone does not make a sentence wrong.
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 尽管…但是/可是…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 尽管…但是/可是… 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 尽管…但是/可是…
Cross-checks the 尽管 + Fact, 但是/可是 + Result 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, Level 5 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 5; 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 closely related spoken and written concession patterns.
Easy to confuse
固然…但是固然...但是: Granted, Yet
Separate straightforward concession from deliberate acknowledgment and qualification.
Compare
即使…也即使...也 (Even If...)
Compare a factual obstacle with a hypothetical obstacle.
Compare
纵然…也…纵然...也...: Even Though
Contrast factual concession with a more literary unchanged conclusion.
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Easy to confuse
Compare closely related spoken and written concession patterns.