虽说…但是…: Spoken Concession in Chinese
虽说……但是/可是/不过……
虽说…但是/可是/不过… concedes a real point before presenting a more important qualification or opposing judgment. 虽说 begins the conceded clause, and the contrast marker introduces the main assertion. The markers cannot be stacked together, reversed, or left without complete clauses; the pattern is more conversational than formal 固然.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
虽说 + Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过 + Main point
Read the structure
虽说…但是/可是/不过… concedes a real point before presenting a more important qualification or opposing judgment. 虽说 begins the conceded clause, and the contrast marker introduces the main assertion. The markers cannot be stacked together, reversed, or left without complete clauses; the pattern is more conversational than formal 固然. Keep the model 虽说 + Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过 + Main point visible while you compare each sentence.
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
Although the task is hard, we still must finish it.
Choose the right context
Acknowledge a real fact before qualifying it. Soften disagreement in careful conversation. Use 但是, 可是, or 不过 to introduce the main point.
虽说他经验不足，可是学习能力很强。
Although he lacks experience, he learns very well.
Respect the boundary
Do not stack several second-clause markers. Do not reverse the concession and contrast markers. Do not leave the main assertion incomplete.
虽说任务很难，但是可是我们仍要完成。
(Although the task is hard, but however we must finish.)
Repair the pattern
Two contrast markers are stacked: Choose one marker—但是, 可是, or 不过—to introduce the main assertion. 虽说 follows the conceded clause: 虽说 must introduce the conceded clause rather than follow it.
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
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.
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
Although the task is hard, we still must finish it.
虽说
虽说
This part occupies the 虽说 position in the model pattern.
任务
Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过
This part occupies the Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过 position in the model pattern.
很
Main point
This part occupies the Main point position in the model pattern.
难
虽说
This part occupies the 虽说 position in the model pattern.
，
Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过
This part occupies the Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过 position in the model pattern.
但是
Main point
This part occupies the Main point position in the model pattern.
我们
虽说
This part occupies the 虽说 position in the model pattern.
仍要
Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过
This part occupies the Conceded fact，但是 / 可是 / 不过 position in the model pattern.
完成
Main point
This part occupies the Main point 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.
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
Although the task is hard, we still must finish it.
虽说他经验不足，可是学习能力很强。
Although he lacks experience, he learns very well.
虽说问题不大，不过也不能忽视。
Although the problem is not serious, it still cannot be ignored.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Acknowledge a real fact before qualifying it.
- Soften disagreement in careful conversation.
- Use 但是, 可是, or 不过 to introduce the main point.
Do not use it when
- Do not stack several second-clause markers.
- Do not reverse the concession and contrast markers.
- Do not leave the main assertion incomplete.
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.
虽说任务很难，但是可是我们仍要完成。
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
Two contrast markers are stacked
Choose one marker—但是, 可是, or 不过—to introduce the main assertion.
任务很难虽说，但是我们仍要完成。
虽说任务很难，但是我们仍要完成。
虽说 follows the conceded clause
虽说 must introduce the conceded clause rather than follow it.
虽说任务很难，但是可是我们仍要完成。
Choose one marker—但是, 可是, or 不过—to introduce the main assertion.
任务很难虽说，但是我们仍要完成。
虽说 must introduce the conceded clause rather than follow it.
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 虽说……但是/可是/不过…….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 虽说……但是/可是/不过……. 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
虽说…但是…: Spoken Concession Questions
How is 虽说 different from 虽然?
Their concessive logic overlaps, but 虽说 often sounds more conversational and acknowledges a stated point.
Which marker can introduce the second clause?
但是, 可是, or 不过 can be used, but choose one rather than stacking them.
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: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九121】, 让步复句：虽说……，但是/可是/不过…… (printed p. 250)
Supports placement in the official combined Levels 7-9 band; the exact site level remains an internal difficulty label; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 41, §41.1, paired contrast words; Chapter 45, §45.2, concession
Supports a concession marker before the acknowledged fact and one contrast marker before the main assertion.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
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