HSK 6
虽...但...: Concise Although in Chinese
虽...但... is a compact, often written alternative to 虽然...但是.... The first clause concedes a fact and the second gives the contrasting main point, with 但, 可, 却, or sometimes 也 marking that turn. Because 虽 is concise and relatively formal, it is less common than 虽然 in casual speech.
STRUCTURE
虽 + Fact, 但 / 可 / 却 / 也 + Point
When to use 虽…但/可/却/也… — and when not
Use it when
- Make a concise written concession: 他年纪虽小，但经验不少。
- Acknowledge one fact before asserting a contrasting point.
- Use 可, 却, or 也 when its nuance fits the second clause.
Don't use it when
- Do not stack 虽 and 虽然 in the same concessive marker.
- Do not leave the clause after 虽 or the contrast marker incomplete.
- Use 虽然...但是... when a fuller conversational form is clearer for beginners.
Right vs. wrong
他虽虽然年轻，但很有经验。
他虽年轻，但很有经验。
Two forms of the same concession marker are stacked
Choose either 虽 or 虽然; they cannot be combined as 虽虽然.
他虽，但按时完成了。
他虽很忙，但按时完成了。
The conceded clause is missing
虽 must introduce the fact being conceded before the main contrast.
Examples
他年纪虽小，但经验不少。
Tā niánjì suī xiǎo, dàn jīngyàn bù shǎo.
Although he is young, he has considerable experience.
路虽远，我们却没有放弃。
Lù suī yuǎn, wǒmen què méiyǒu fàngqì.
Although the road was long, we did not give up.
这个办法虽简单，也很有效。
Zhège bànfǎ suī jiǎndān, yě hěn yǒuxiào.
Although this method is simple, it is effective.
Common mistakes
他虽虽然年轻，但很有经验。
Tā suī suīrán niánqīng, dàn hěn yǒu jīngyàn.
Use either 虽 or 虽然, not both.
他虽，但按时完成了。
Tā suī, dàn ànshí wánchéng le.
Add the conceded fact after 虽.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 虽…但/可/却/也… sentence and check that grammar point first.
虽...但...: Concise Although FAQ
How is 虽 different from 虽然?
They express the same basic concession, but 虽 is more compact and often more formal or literary.
Which words can introduce the second clause?
Common choices include 但, 可, 却, and 也. Their tone and discourse function differ slightly.
Related Chinese grammar points
虽然…但是
虽然...但是 (Although... But)
Easy to confuse
Compare concise formal concession with the full common pattern.
尽管…但是/可是…
尽管...但是...(jǐnguǎn...dànshì)
Easy to confuse
Distinguish compact concession from acknowledging an actual obstacle.
固然…但是
固然...但是: Granted, Yet
Compare
Compare simple concession with deliberate acknowledgment before qualification.