虽然⋯⋯但是⋯⋯
suī rán …… dàn shì ……
Expressing "although" with "suiran" and "danshi"
As with cause and effect, Chinese keeps both connectors — "although… but…".
虽然 + Clause 1，但是 / 可是 + Clause 2
How it works
虽然渴了，但是不想喝啤酒 — although I'm thirsty, I don't want a beer. The "but" that English forbids is required here.
可是 is the more casual alternative to 但是, and 不过 is softer still.
虽然 can also come after the subject: 他虽然很累，但是还在工作.
Examples
suī rán kě le, dàn shì wǒ bù xiǎng hē pí jiǔ
虽然渴了，但是我不想喝啤酒。
Although I'm thirsty, I don't want a beer.
suī rán hěn guì, kě shì hěn hǎo chī
虽然很贵，可是很好吃。
It's expensive, but it's delicious.
tā suī rán hěn lèi, dàn shì hái zài gōng zuò
他虽然很累，但是还在工作。
Although he's tired, he's still working.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out 但是 sounds unfinished to a Chinese ear.