suīrán tā bú rènshi wǒ de tóngshì, dànshì tā xiǎng rènshi tā.

I

Breakdown of suīrán tā bú rènshi wǒ de tóngshì, dànshì tā xiǎng rènshi tā.

• 不bù: not
• 的de: possessive particle
• 她tā: she

Questions & Answers about suīrán tā bú rènshi wǒ de tóngshì, dànshì tā xiǎng rènshi tā.

Do I have to use both 虽然 and 但是 in this pattern?

The canonical concessive pattern is 虽然 A，但是 B (“although A, but B”). In everyday speech you’ll most often see both parts together. Grammatically:

• You can often drop 但是 if the contrast is obvious: 虽然她不认识我的同事，她想认识他。
• You can also use 但是/可是/不过 without 虽然: 她不认识我的同事，但是她想认识他。

Can I put 虽然 in the second clause, like English “..., although ...”?

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?