虽然…但是 sui ran...dan shi. A question on how to use this.

[Yezze]

From what i understand 虽然……但是 means although...but. Does that mean i would be correct in saying 虽然我走遍欧洲,但是我想回去. That should say, Although i have been to Europe, but i want to go back?

I am confused about the but part of it, or does it also function like the word still (as in, still, i want to go back or i still want to go back).

Thanks,

[taylor04]

I almost made a fool of myself by saying it does mean although... but... and got ready to post some examples. As soon as I translated a few of them, I realized none of the had "but"! I completely understand what you are saying now. I think the best way to look at it isn't the way it's translated but rather the meaning it carries.

虽然我的中文水平不太好，但是我要尝试帮你。

Although my Chinese is bad, I want to try to help you.

虽然我是美国人，但是我比较了解中国文化。

Although I'm American, I know quite a bit about Chinese culture.

I think it's just a difference in grammar, In English we don't really use the although... but.... type of structure without throwing some extra junk in to make it work.

[Chinadoog]

In English, it is wrong to use ''but'' in a sentence starting with ''although.'' In Chinese, you need to use ''but'' with sentences starting with ''although.''

[creamyhorror]

...although you can use "but" (但是) without "although" (虽然).

[jbradfor]

Since taylor04 refrained from making a fool of himself, that gives me the opportunity to do so...

Why the use of 走遍 in the OP? Shouldn't it be 走過?

[kongli]

I think for the original OP post it would be better to say:

虽然我已经去过欧洲但是我还想回去

The use of 还 would be better because indicates more that you still want to go.

However I think, in regards to this specific sentence, using although seems a bit unnecessary.

As mentioned above 虽然 is usually used to put two somewhat opposing statements together. The danshi kind of indicates a change in direction.

虽然美国经济很糟糕但是美国人还能吃得饱穿得暖

Although the american economy is bad, american's are still able to eat well and be warm.

虽然我喜欢中国但是我并不喜欢吃中国反。

Although I like China, I don't really like eating Chinese food.

Hope this helps.

[Yezze]

Thanks for the input.

The "As mentioned above 虽然 is usually used to put two somewhat opposing statements together. The danshi kind of indicates a change in direction." part makes sense. I guess i was still trying to translate it directly to English, which after 4 semesters of onlineChinese, i know doesn't work...

Thanks again.

[skylee]

Why the use of 走遍 in the OP? Shouldn't it be 走過?

走遍 = have been to all of Europe

走過 = have passed through Europe

去過 = have been to Europe

In Chinese, you need to use ''but'' with sentences starting with ''although.''

I wouldn't say "need". There is usually more than one way to say what you want to say.