Concessive Compound: 尽管…但是/可是…
尽管……，但是/可是……
Express concession using 尽管 (even though) paired with 但是 or 可是 (but)
尽管 introduces a conceded fact (something acknowledged as true), and 但是 or 可是 introduces the contrasting or unexpected result. The speaker acknowledges reality in clause₁ but emphasizes the point in clause₂.
尽管 is stronger than 虽然 — it carries a sense of "even granting that" or "regardless of the fact that." 但是 is slightly more formal than 可是; both work equally well.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Concessive Compound: 尽管…但是/可是… (尽管……，但是/可是……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 尽管……，但是/可是…… pattern
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Understanding 尽管……，但是/可是……
You learned 虽然…但是… at earlier HSK levels. Now 尽管…但是/可是… gives you a more emphatic concessive tool. While 虽然 simply acknowledges a contrast ("although"), 尽管 carries a stronger concession — it means "even granting that" or "despite the fact that." When you say 尽管这次考试很难，但是很多人都通过了, you are emphasizing that the difficulty was real and significant, yet people still passed. The emotional weight falls on acknowledging the obstacle before revealing the surprising outcome. 尽管 is common in both spoken and written Chinese, but it feels slightly more formal than 虽然. In the second clause, 但是 and 可是 are interchangeable, with 可是 being marginally more colloquial. Note that 尽管 can also mean "go ahead and" in a different usage (尽管说 = go ahead and say it), but in this pattern it always means "even though."
Key Points
- 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) = "even though / despite" — stronger concession than 虽然.
- Clause₁ states an acknowledged fact or obstacle; clause₂ states the contrasting reality.
- 但是 (more formal) and 可是 (more colloquial) are both valid in clause₂.
- 尽管 emphasizes that the speaker fully recognizes the obstacle before presenting the contrast.
- Do not confuse concessive 尽管 with imperative 尽管 meaning "feel free to / go ahead."
- The 但是/可是 in clause₂ can sometimes be omitted if the contrast is obvious.
Using 尽管…但是… in discussions and essays shows intellectual maturity — you are acknowledging the other side of an argument before making your point. This is valued in Chinese academic and professional discourse.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
尽管这次考试很难，但是很多人都通过了。
Even though this exam was very hard, many people passed.
尽管外面在下雨，可是他一定要去超市买东西。
Even though it was raining outside, he insisted on going to the supermarket.
尽管他不接受我的意见，可是我有意见还是要向他提。
Even though he does not accept my opinions, I still need to raise them with him.
尽管她很累，但是她还是坚持跑完了马拉松。
Even though she was very tired, she still persisted and finished the marathon.
尽管工资不高，可是他很喜欢这份工作。
Even though the salary is not high, he really likes this job.
尽管父母反对，但是她还是决定出国留学。
Even though her parents opposed it, she still decided to study abroad.
Common Mistakes
尽管 introduces a conceded fact followed by a contrasting result. If you want to say "even if" for a hypothetical condition, consider using 即使…也…
Do not stack 虽然 and 尽管 together — they serve the same function. Pick one.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 尽管 when you want to emphasize that an obstacle is real and significant — it adds more weight than 虽然.
In essays, 尽管…但是… is perfect for acknowledging counterarguments before making your main point.
Adding 还是 in clause₂ (尽管…但是…还是…) strengthens the sense of persistence despite obstacles.
Practice by describing challenges you overcame: 尽管中文很难，但是我还是坚持学下去了。
Homework
Write five sentences using 尽管…但是/可是…: one about overcoming a difficulty in studying, one about weather, one about a relationship disagreement, one about work, and one about a personal choice that others opposed.