Learn Hardcore Chinese: suīrán tā bú rènshi wǒ de tóngshì, dànshì tā xiǎng rènshi tā. - Although she doesn’t know my coworker, she wants to get to know him.

No. In Chinese, 虽然 must introduce the concessive clause and come before the main clause. Avoid: ✗ 她想认识他，虽然她不认识我的同事。
Use: ✓ 虽然她不认识我的同事，但是她想认识他。

What’s the difference among 但是, 可是, and 不过?

All mean “but/however.”

但是: neutral to slightly formal; very common in writing and speech.
可是: more colloquial/emphatic in speech.
不过: “however/only that,” a bit softer contrast.
All work in this sentence with the same meaning.

Where does 但是 go? Can I say “她但是想…”?

Place it at the start of the contrasting clause: ..., 但是她想认识他。
Do not put it after the subject: ✗ 她但是想认识他。

Why is 不 pronounced bú here?

Tone sandhi: 不 (bù) changes to bú before a 4th-tone syllable. 认识 (rèn‧shi) starts with rèn (4th tone), so it becomes bú rènshi.

How do you pronounce 认识? Is the second syllable neutral?

In Mainland Putonghua, 认识 is typically rènshi (4 + neutral). In Taiwanese Mandarin, many say rènshì (4 + 4). Both are understood; follow the regional norm you’re learning.

Why use 认识 instead of 知道 or 了解?

认识: to know/be acquainted with a person; to have met. Example: 我认识他 = I know him (personally).
知道: to know facts. 我知道他是谁 = I know who he is (fact).
了解: to understand/know in depth. 我很了解他 = I understand him well.
Here we’re talking about making someone’s acquaintance, so 认识 is correct.

What’s the nuance of 想 vs 要 vs 想要 here?

想: want/would like (softer, desire or intention). Best here: 她想认识他.
要: stronger intention/plan or necessity. 她要认识他 can sound forceful or goal-like.
想要: often “want to obtain,” with verbs it signals stronger desire. 她想要认识他 is grammatical but more emphatic; 想认识 is more natural.

Why is it 不认识 and not 没认识?

For the general state “not (be) acquainted,” use 不认识.
没(有)认识 would mean “did not get to know/meet (on a particular occasion),” which is not the intended meaning here.

Could I say “想见他” or “想跟他见面” instead of “想认识他”?

Yes, but they differ:

想认识他: wants to get acquainted (become someone she knows).
想见他: wants to see/meet him (could be first time or not).
想跟他见面: wants to meet (face-to-face) with him.
If the emphasis is on becoming acquainted, 认识 is the best choice.

What does 的 do in 我的同事? Can I drop it and say 我同事?

的 marks possession/attribution: 我的同事 = my colleague.
In casual speech, dropping 的 is common with close relationships and some social roles. 我同事 is heard, but 我的同事 is the neutral, always-correct form.

Do I need to repeat 她 in the second clause?

Not required. You can omit it if the subject is clear:
虽然她不认识我的同事，但是想认识他。
Repeating 她 is also perfectly natural.

Does 他 definitely refer to “my colleague”? Is there ambiguity with 她/他 in speech?

In this context, 他 refers back to 我的同事. In writing, 她 (she) and 他 (he) are distinct; in speech both are pronounced tā, so context disambiguates. If there’s any doubt, repeat the noun: …但是她想认识那位同事。

Is the word order fixed? Could I say “她想他认识” etc.?

Keep standard SVO order: 她想认识他.
Reordering like 她想他认识 is ungrammatical here.

Can I add 还是 to emphasize “still”?

Yes. 还是 highlights persistence in spite of A:
虽然她不认识我的同事，但是她还是想认识他。

Should there be 了 or 过 with 认识?

Not here. We’re stating a present desire, so no aspect marker is needed.

认识了 can mark the change-of-state “became acquainted”: 我们认识了。
认识过 (“have met before”) is possible but less common than 见过(面) for that meaning.

Is the comma after the first clause necessary?

Yes. In Chinese, you typically place a comma between the 虽然-clause and the main clause: 虽然……，但是……

How do I say “a colleague” with a measure word?

Use a classifier before 同事 when it’s indefinite:

一个同事 (general)
一位同事 (politer)
For example: 虽然她不认识我的一个同事，但是她想认识他。

Can I add 一下 to make “get to know (a bit)” more polite?

Yes. Put 一下 after the verb, often with a co-actor using 跟/和:

她想跟他认识一下。
她想认识一下他。
The first is very natural in speech.