HSK 5
尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì) in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
尽管 + Fact, 但是/可是 + Result
When to use 尽管…但是/可是… — and when not
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。
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
尽管下着雨，但是比赛没有停。
Jǐnguǎn xià zhe yǔ, dànshì bǐsài méiyǒu tíng.
Although it was raining, the match did not stop.
尽管这个办法简单，可是成本太高。
Jǐnguǎn zhège bànfǎ jiǎndān, kěshì chéngběn tài gāo.
Although this method is simple, it costs too much.
尽管我提醒过他，他还是忘了。
Jǐnguǎn wǒ tíxǐng guo tā, tā háishi wàng le.
Although I reminded him, he still forgot.
Common mistakes
尽管但是天气很冷，我们按时出发了。
Jǐnguǎn dànshì tiānqì hěn lěng, wǒmen ànshí chūfā le.
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。
Jǐnguǎn tiānqì hěn lěng, wǒmen dànshì ànshí chūfā le.
Put 但是 before the result-clause subject: 但是我们按时出发了。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 尽管…但是/可是… sentence and check that grammar point first.
尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì) FAQ
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.