HSK 4 Grammar

HSK 4 复句 — Complex Sentence Patterns

Master all 11 types of complex sentences with paired connectors (关联词) across HSK 3-5 with an interactive decision tree, error correction, and comprehensive quizzes.

11
Types
20+
Connectors
40+
Exercises
HSK Level Progression / 等级递进
HSK 3 — 5 Foundation Connectors

① 虽然…但是 (although...but)
② 因为…所以 (because...therefore)
③ 如果…就 (if...then)
④ 只有…才 (only if...then)
⑤ 只要…就 (as long as...then)

HSK 4 — 8 New Connectors (This Page)

⑥ 尽管…但是/可是 (even though)
⑦ 然而 / 不过 (however)
⑧ 不管/无论…都/也 (no matter)
⑨ 即使/就是…也 (even if)
⑩ 既然…就 (since/given that)
⑪ 由于…因此 (due to...therefore)
⑫ 不是…而是 (not...but rather)
⑬ 既…又/也 (both...and)

HSK 5 — 4 Advanced Connectors

⑭ 一旦…就 (once...then)
⑮ 假如…就 (supposing...then)
⑯ 万一…就 (in case...then)
⑰ 哪怕…也 (even if / no matter what)

These connectors add nuance to hypothetical and extreme conditions.

HSK3-1 虽然…但是 although...but
虽然今天很冷，但是他还是出去跑步了。
Suīrán jīntiān hěn lěng, dànshì tā háishì chūqù pǎobù le.
Although it's very cold today, he still went out jogging.
HSK3-2 因为…所以 because...therefore
因为下雨了，所以我们没去公园。
Yīnwèi xià yǔ le, suǒyǐ wǒmen méi qù gōngyuán.
Because it rained, we didn't go to the park.
HSK3-3 如果…就 if...then
如果明天不下雨，我们就去爬山。
Rúguǒ míngtiān bù xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù qù páshān.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go hiking.
HSK3-4 只有…才 only if...then
只有努力学习，才能通过考试。
Zhǐyǒu nǔlì xuéxí, cái néng tōngguò kǎoshì.
Only by studying hard can you pass the exam.
HSK3-5 只要…就 as long as...then
只要你认真听课，就能学好。
Zhǐyào nǐ rènzhēn tīng kè, jiù néng xué hǎo.
As long as you pay attention in class, you can learn well.
转折 Concession / Contrast
Type 1 尽管…但是/可是 even though (factual)
尽管路很远，但是他每天都走路上班。
Jǐnguǎn lù hěn yuǎn, dànshì tā měi tiān dōu zǒulù shàngbān.
Even though the road is long, he walks to work every day.
尽管大家都反对，可是她还是坚持自己的想法。
Jǐnguǎn dàjiā dōu fǎnduì, kěshì tā háishì jiānchí zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ.
Even though everyone opposed it, she still stuck to her own idea.
尽管他很累，但是还是完成了工作。
Jǐnguǎn tā hěn lèi, dànshì háishì wánchéng le gōngzuò.
Even though he was tired, he still finished the work.
✗ 即使他昨天生病了，但是今天来上课了。
✓ 尽管他昨天生病了，但是今天来上课了。
Use 尽管 for facts that already happened. 即使 is for hypothetical situations. Since he was already sick yesterday (a fact), use 尽管.
Type 2 然而 / 不过 however / but
他学了很长时间，然而成绩还是不理想。
Tā xué le hěn cháng shíjiān, rán'ér chéngjì háishì bù lǐxiǎng.
He studied for a long time; however, his grades were still not ideal.
这个手机很好用，不过价格有点儿贵。
Zhège shǒujī hěn hǎo yòng, búguò jiàgé yǒudiǎnr guì.
This phone is easy to use, but the price is a bit expensive.
条件 Condition
Type 3 不管/无论…都/也 no matter (what/how)
不管天气怎么样，他都坚持锻炼。
Bùguǎn tiānqì zěnmeyàng, tā dōu jiānchí duànliàn.
No matter what the weather is like, he keeps exercising.
无论遇到什么困难，我们都不能放弃。
Wúlùn yù dào shénme kùnnán, wǒmen dōu bù néng fàngqì.
No matter what difficulties we encounter, we cannot give up.
不管你同意不同意，我也要去。
Bùguǎn nǐ tóngyì bù tóngyì, wǒ yě yào qù.
Whether you agree or not, I'm still going.
✗ 不管天气怎么样，他坚持锻炼。
✓ 不管天气怎么样，他都坚持锻炼。
不管/无论 must be paired with 都 or 也 in the second clause. Dropping the second connector is a common error.
让步 Concession
Type 4 即使/就是…也 even if (hypothetical)
即使下雨，我也要去。
Jíshǐ xià yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù.
Even if it rains, I will still go.
即使再难，我们也不能放弃。
Jíshǐ zài nán, wǒmen yě bù néng fàngqì.
Even if it gets harder, we cannot give up.
就是你不说，我也知道。
Jiùshì nǐ bù shuō, wǒ yě zhīdào.
Even if you don't say it, I know.
✗ 尽管明天下雨，我也要去旅行。
✓ 即使明天下雨，我也要去旅行。
Use 即使 for hypothetical future situations. 尽管 is for facts. Since it hasn't rained yet (tomorrow is uncertain), use 即使.
因果 Cause-Effect
Type 5 既然…就 since / given that
既然你已经决定了，就不要后悔。
Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, jiù bú yào hòuhuǐ.
Since you've already decided, don't regret it.
既然大家都同意，我们就这么办吧。
Jìrán dàjiā dōu tóngyì, wǒmen jiù zhème bàn ba.
Since everyone agrees, let's do it this way.
既然来了，就好好玩儿吧。
Jìrán lái le, jiù hǎohāo wánr ba.
Since you're already here, enjoy yourself.
Type 6 由于…因此 due to...therefore (formal)
由于交通堵塞，因此会议推迟了。
Yóuyú jiāotōng dǔsè, yīncǐ huìyì tuīchí le.
Due to the traffic jam, the meeting was postponed.
由于他的努力，因此项目顺利完成了。
Yóuyú tā de nǔlì, yīncǐ xiàngmù shùnlì wánchéng le.
Due to his efforts, the project was completed smoothly.
并列 Parallel
Type 7 不是…而是 not...but rather
他不是不想帮你，而是没有时间。
Tā búshì bù xiǎng bāng nǐ, érshì méiyǒu shíjiān.
It's not that he doesn't want to help you, but rather he has no time.
我不是累了，而是饿了。
Wǒ búshì lèi le, érshì è le.
I'm not tired, but rather hungry.
问题不是钱不够，而是时间不够。
Wèntí búshì qián bú gòu, érshì shíjiān bú gòu.
The problem isn't not enough money, but not enough time.
Type 8 既…又/也 both...and
这个菜既好吃又便宜。
Zhège cài jì hǎochī yòu piányi.
This dish is both delicious and cheap.
她既会说英语，也会说法语。
Tā jì huì shuō Yīngyǔ, yě huì shuō Fǎyǔ.
She can speak both English and French.
递进 Progressive
Type 9 连…也/都 even (emphasis)
他连饭都没吃就走了。
Tā lián fàn dōu méi chī jiù zǒu le.
He left without even eating.
这个字连老师也不认识。
Zhège zì lián lǎoshī yě bú rènshi.
Even the teacher doesn't know this character.
她连一句话都没说。
Tā lián yī jù huà dōu méi shuō.
She didn't even say a single word.
Type 10 不仅/不光…还/而且 not only...but also
她不仅学习好，而且很会唱歌。
Tā bùjǐn xuéxí hǎo, érqiě hěn huì chànggē.
She not only studies well, but also sings beautifully.
他不光会做饭，还会做甜点。
Tā bùguāng huì zuòfàn, hái huì zuò tiándiǎn.
He can not only cook, but also make desserts.
Type 11 甚至 even / to the extent that
他很忙，甚至连吃饭的时间都没有。
Tā hěn máng, shènzhì lián chīfàn de shíjiān dōu méiyǒu.
He's so busy that he doesn't even have time to eat.
她的中文很好，甚至能看中文小说。
Tā de Zhōngwén hěn hǎo, shènzhì néng kàn Zhōngwén xiǎoshuō.
Her Chinese is so good that she can even read Chinese novels.

HSK 4 让步状语从句详解 / Concessive Clauses Explained

让步状语从句 (concessive adverbial clauses) introduce a fact or hypothesis that "should" prevent something — but doesn't. HSK 4 tests five concessive patterns: 虽然…但是, 尽管…但是, 即使…也, 不管…都, 无论…都. Each is explained below with classic examples and real HSK 4 distinctions.

1. 虽然…但是… — Standard Concessive (HSK 3, reinforced at HSK 4)

"Although A, but B." — the most basic concessive pattern. The fact in 虽然 clause is real; 但是 clause expresses unexpected continuation.

✓ 虽然下着大雨，但是他还是按时来上班了。 Suīrán xià zhe dà yǔ, dànshì tā hái shì àn shí lái shàngbān le. — "Although it was raining heavily, he still came to work on time."
✓ 虽然这本书很贵，但是值得买。 Suīrán zhè běn shū hěn guì, dànshì zhídé mǎi. — "Although this book is expensive, it's worth buying."

Variations: 虽然…但 / 虽然…可是 / 虽然…还是. Same meaning, slightly different formality.

2. 尽管…但是… — Stronger Concession HSK 4 NEW

"Despite A, B." — stronger concession than 虽然, often emphasizing struggle or unexpected persistence. Pairs with 但是, 可是, 还是.

✓ 尽管工作很忙，但是他每天都坚持锻炼。 Jǐnguǎn gōngzuò hěn máng, dànshì tā měi tiān dōu jiānchí duànliàn. — "Despite his busy work, he insists on exercising every day."
✓ 尽管他不太聪明，但他非常努力。 Jǐnguǎn tā bú tài cōngming, dàn tā fēicháng nǔlì. — "Despite not being very smart, he is extremely hardworking."
虽然 vs 尽管 distinction (highly tested at HSK 4): 尽管 emphasizes that the fact is even more challenging or contrary than expected. 虽然 is more neutral. Use 尽管 when the contrast is significant; use 虽然 for general contrasts.

3. 即使…也… — Hypothetical Concession HSK 4 NEW

"Even if A, still B." — concession about a HYPOTHETICAL situation. Different from 尽管 / 虽然 which describe REAL situations.

✓ 即使遇到困难，我也不会放弃。 Jíshǐ yùdào kùnnán, wǒ yě bú huì fàngqì. — "Even if I encounter difficulties, I will not give up."
✓ 即使下雨，我们也要去爬山。 Jíshǐ xià yǔ, wǒmen yě yào qù páshān. — "Even if it rains, we'll still go hiking." (rain is hypothetical, not happening yet)
即使 vs 尽管 (the trickiest HSK 4 distinction): 即使 = hypothetical (it might or might not happen). 尽管 = real (it IS happening / DID happen). 即使下雨 = "if it rains" (hypothetical). 尽管下雨 = "despite it raining (now)" (factual).

Variations: 即使…也 / 即便…也 / 就是…也 / 哪怕…也 (HSK 5). The 也 in the second clause is mandatory.

4. 不管…都/也… — Unconditional Concession (Spoken) HSK 4 NEW

"No matter A, still B." — concession across multiple possibilities. Pairs with 都 or 也. Spoken/colloquial register.

✓ 不管多忙，他每天都会陪孩子玩一会儿。 Bùguǎn duō máng, tā měi tiān dōu huì péi háizi wán yí huìr. — "No matter how busy, he plays with his child every day."
✓ 不管你说什么，我都不相信。 Bùguǎn nǐ shuō shénme, wǒ dōu bù xiāngxìn. — "No matter what you say, I won't believe it."

Required structure: 不管 + open-ended condition (question word like 多, 谁, 什么, 哪里, 怎么, 多少) + 都/也 + result. The clause after 不管 must contain a question word or "A 不 A" alternative.

5. 无论…都/也… — Unconditional Concession (Formal) HSK 4 NEW

"Regardless of A, B." — formal/written equivalent of 不管. Same grammar, different register.

✓ 无论遇到什么困难，我们都要坚持到底。 Wúlùn yùdào shénme kùnnán, wǒmen dōu yào jiānchí dào dǐ. — "Regardless of what difficulties we encounter, we must persist to the end."
✓ 无论是大人还是小孩，都喜欢这部电影。 Wúlùn shì dàrén hái shì xiǎohái, dōu xǐhuan zhè bù diànyǐng. — "Whether adults or children, all love this movie."
不管 vs 无论 (HSK 4 register pair): 不管 is conversational (家人, 朋友 talk). 无论 is formal/written (news, contracts, essays). Otherwise grammar is identical. Read the full 不管 vs 无论 comparison →

让步状语从句 Quick Reference / 让步从句速查表

PatternTypeReal or Hypothetical?RegisterPairs with
虽然…但是…ConcessiveReal factBoth但是 / 但 / 可是 / 还是
尽管…但是…Strong concessiveReal factSlightly formal但是 / 还是 / 可是
即使…也…Hypothetical concessiveHypotheticalBoth也 (mandatory)
不管…都/也…Unconditional concessiveAny conditionSpoken都 / 也 (mandatory)
无论…都/也…Unconditional concessiveAny conditionWritten / formal都 / 也 (mandatory)

📝 HSK 4 takeaway: Concessive clauses are heavily tested in HSK 4 阅读 (reading comprehension Q66-85) and 排序 (Q56-65). When you spot a 虽然/尽管/即使/不管/无论 in a passage, the next clause's connector (但是/也/都) is your sentence-order anchor. Memorize the pairings — never use 虽然…就 or 即使…但是 (they're ungrammatical).

Need more depth? Each pattern has its own page: 尽管…但是 detailed page · 即使…也 detailed page · 不管…都 detailed page · 不管 vs 无论 confusable pair · 即使 vs 尽管 confusable pair.

Connector Decision Tree / 关联词选择器

Answer the questions step by step to find the right connector for your sentence.

Error Spotting / 纠错练习

Is this complex sentence correct or incorrect? Judge each sentence.

Comprehensive Quiz / 综合测试 (15 questions)

天气怎么样，他坚持跑步。
不管…都 means "no matter...still." The sentence describes an unconditional situation — he runs regardless of weather. 不管天气怎么样，他都坚持跑步。
你已经答应了，不要反悔。
既然…就 means "since...then." The first clause states an established fact (you already agreed), and the second draws a logical conclusion. 既然你已经答应了，就不要反悔。
What type of complex sentence is this? 即使考试很难，我也要试试。
即使…也 is a concession (让步) pattern. It introduces a hypothetical situation that won't change the outcome. "Even if the exam is hard, I will still try."
他不想帮你，没有时间。
不是…而是 means "not...but rather." It corrects a misunderstanding: he's not unwilling, he just doesn't have time.
路很远，他每天都走着去上班。
尽管…但是 is for factual contrast. The road IS far (a real fact), but he still walks. 即使 would imply uncertainty about the distance.
她会说英语，会说法语。
既…又 means "both...and" (parallel structure). Both abilities are presented equally. 不仅…还 would emphasize progression rather than equality.
What type of complex sentence is this? 她不仅会唱歌，而且还会弹钢琴。
不仅…而且 is a progressive (递进) pattern. It builds from one ability (singing) to a more impressive one (playing piano).
他饭没吃就出门了。
连…都 means "even." It emphasizes that something extreme or unexpected happened — he didn't even eat before leaving.
Which sentence is CORRECT?
尽管…但是 is correct here because "being sick yesterday" is a fact. 即使 is for hypothetical situations. 不管 pairs with 都/也, not 但是. 既然 pairs with 就.
交通堵塞，会议推迟了。
由于…因此 (due to...therefore) expresses a formal cause-effect relationship. The traffic jam directly caused the meeting delay.
Which sentence is INCORRECT?
无论…must pair with 都 or 也. The sentence is missing 都: 无论天气好不好，他都坚持锻炼。
这个菜好吃便宜。
既…又 means "both...and," describing two equal qualities of the same subject in a parallel structure.
他很忙，连吃饭的时间都没有。
甚至 means "even / to the extent that." It introduces an extreme example to emphasize just how busy he is.
What type of complex sentence is this? 由于天气原因，航班取消了。
由于 introduces a cause (weather reasons), and the result follows (flight cancelled). This is a cause-effect (因果) structure.
Which sentence correctly uses 即使…也?
即使…也 is for hypothetical situations. "Tomorrow raining" is uncertain, making 即使 correct. The other options either use facts (use 尽管) or wrong connector pairs.
Related / 相关内容
把
把字句 Ba-Sentence
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Passive Voice 被动句
语
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词
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Other HSK 4 Grammar Topics

把字句 Ba-Sentence 被字句 Passive 比较句 Comparison 补语 Complements 副词 Adverbs 虚词 Function Words 兼语句 Pivotal Sentences 固定搭配 Fixed Patterns 修辞 Rhetorical 量词 Measure Words

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