转折复句 · HSK 4 (new at this level)
HSK 4 Pattern: 尽管…但是/可是…
Concedes a fact, then states something contrary. The first clause is TRUE, but the second clause contradicts expectations.
尽管 + fact, 但是/可是/还是 + contrary result
Examples / 例句
尽管天气很冷，他还是坚持每天跑步。
Jǐnguǎn tiānqì hěn lěng, tā háishi jiānchí měitiān pǎobù.
Despite the cold weather, he still runs every day.
还是 emphasizes persistence against the odds
尽管工作很忙，但是她总是按时吃饭。
Jǐnguǎn gōngzuò hěn máng, dànshì tā zǒngshì ànshí chīfàn.
Despite being busy at work, she always eats on time.
但是 is the standard pair with 尽管
尽管他解释了很多遍，大家还是不理解。
Jǐnguǎn tā jiěshì le hěn duō biàn, dàjiā háishi bù lǐjiě.
Despite his many explanations, no one understood.
还是不 = still don't (negative persistence)
尽管这次考试比较难，但是大部分同学都通过了。
Jǐnguǎn zhè cì kǎoshì bǐjiào nán, dànshì dà bùfen tóngxué dōu tōngguò le.
Despite this exam being relatively hard, most students still passed.
Common HSK 4 exam-context sentence; 大部分…都 widens the contrast
尽管他来中国才两年，但是汉语已经说得很流利了。
Jǐnguǎn tā lái Zhōngguó cái liǎng nián, dànshì Hànyǔ yǐjīng shuō de hěn liúlì le.
Despite only being in China for two years, his Chinese is already very fluent.
才 + 已经 highlights surprising progress — classic HSK 4 reading topic
Common Errors / 常见错误
✗ 尽管明天可能下雨，我也要去。
✓ 即使明天可能下雨，我也要去。
Tomorrow's rain is hypothetical (hasn't happened) → use 即使, not 尽管.
✗ 尽管很累，所以我早点睡了。
✓ 尽管很累，但是我还是坚持工作。/ 因为很累，所以我早点睡了。
尽管 pairs with 但是/还是 (contrast), NOT 所以 (result). If using 所以, the cause word should be 因为.
Easily confused: 尽管 = factual (it IS raining). 即使 = hypothetical (even IF it rains).
See comparison →
Fill in the Blank / 填空练习
Complete each sentence using this pattern. Type the missing word(s) and press Enter.
路很远，他每天都走路上班。
尽管很累，他还是坚持完成了。
尽管下着大雨，他出门了。
Quick Quiz / 小测验
___价格比较贵，___这家餐厅的菜确实好吃。
Concession (expensive BUT good) → 尽管…但是.
___他已经道歉了，她___不肯原谅他。
He DID apologize (factual) → 尽管. If hypothetical, use 即使.
___学中文不容易，___越来越多的人开始学了。
Concessive contrast → 尽管/虽然…但是. Never 所以.
HSK 4 Mock Test Questions Using 尽管…但是/可是… / 真题示例
2 real HSK 4 questions from our mock exams that test this pattern:
From HSK 4 Mock Test 08 · Q84
84. 阅读短文：爸爸下班回到家已经很晚了，很累。他发现7岁的儿子还在门口等他。儿子问："爸，您一小时可以赚多少钱？""我想想，大概是20块。"小孩又问："您可以借我10块钱吗？"尽管父亲有些生气，但还是拿出了10块钱。儿子一边感谢爸爸，一边从手里拿出另外10块钱，说："爸，我可以向您买一个小时的时间吗？明天请早一点儿回家，我想和您一起吃晚饭。" 问题：儿子原来有多少钱？
5元10元 ✓20元100元
尽管…但是/可是… FAQ
When is 尽管…但是/可是… tested in HSK 4?
尽管…但是/可是… (Despite... but...) appears in HSK 4 reading comprehension (Q66-85) when texts use complex sentences, in 阅读排序 (Q56-65) where this pattern's connectors signal sentence order, and in listening 段落 (Q26-45) where the speaker uses it to express concedes a fact, then states something contrary.
What's the most common mistake with 尽管…但是/可是…?
尽管 = factual (it IS raining). 即使 = hypothetical (even IF it rains).
Is 尽管…但是/可是… required at HSK 4 or higher?
HSK 4 (new at this level)