The English although or even though is used to combine two phrases which form a contrast e.g. Although he is tall, he does not play basketball.
This same sentence structure is used in Mandarin Chinese, with a slightly different construction.
The Mandarin translation of although and even though is:
Mandarin phrases which use sui rán are followed by a contrasting phrase which begins with dà n shì or ke shì, both of which translate as but.
Therefore, the construction of the Mandarin “although” sentence is:
The sui rán phrase must come before the dà n shì phrase, even though in English the two phrases may sometimes be reversed.
Please note that in each of these examples, ke shì can be used in place of dà n shì.
This same sentence structure is used in Mandarin Chinese, with a slightly different construction.
The Mandarin translation of although and even though is:
sui rán
?? (trad)
??] (simp)
Mandarin phrases which use sui rán are followed by a contrasting phrase which begins with dà n shì or ke shì, both of which translate as but.
dà n shì
??
ke shì
??
Therefore, the construction of the Mandarin “although” sentence is:
Sui rán (phrase one), dà n shì (phrase two).
The sui rán phrase must come before the dà n shì phrase, even though in English the two phrases may sometimes be reversed.
Examples of Sui Ran … Dan Shi
Please note that in each of these examples, ke shì can be used in place of dà n shì.
Suirán ta chà ng dé bùhao, dà nshì guanzhòng hen xihuan.
Even though her singing was bad, the audience liked her.
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Suirán wo búshì hen fùyou, dà nshì wo hen kuà i lè.
Although I’m not rich, I’m happy.
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Ta suirán hen jiao xiao, dĂ nshì lìqi hen dĂ
Although she is very small, she is strong.
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