固然……但是……

gùrán... dànshì...

admittedly... but... (固然……但是……)

固然...但是... concedes that A is true, then shifts to a more important contrast. It sounds formal and argumentative.

Anchor example

这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。

Zhège bànfǎ gùrán yǒuxiào, dànshì chéngběn tài gāo.

This method is admittedly effective, but the cost is too high.

HSK 6

1 structures

15 exercises

Lesson summary

Read the sample sentence and notice how 固然……但是…… works in the frame: A 固然 B，但是 C.

Explanation

Use 固然 when you acknowledge a reasonable point before presenting a limitation, concern, or stronger view. It is more formal than 虽然 and often appears in analysis. Do not use 所以 after 固然, because the relation is contrast, not cause-result.

Structure Patterns

1 structures

Grammar pattern

A 固然 B，但是 C

concedes one point before emphasizing a contrasting concern

这个办法固然有效，但是成本太高。

Zhège bànfǎ gùrán yǒuxiào, dànshì chéngběn tài gāo.

This method is admittedly effective, but the cost is too high.

Common Mistakes

Adding 所以: 固然有效，所以成本高。Use 但是 to mark contrast: 固然有效，但是成本高。
Using 固然 for casual daily contrast too often.固然 is formal; 虽然 is more natural in everyday speech.

Usage Notes

Formal concession marker.
The second clause usually carries the main point.
Close to 诚然, but 固然 is slightly less solemn.

Practice

15 exercises

1 / 15

Fill in the blank:

这个办法____有效，但是成本太高。

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