Yezze Posted March 26, 2010 at 03:14 AM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 03:14 AM 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, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylor04 Posted March 26, 2010 at 04:26 AM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 04:26 AM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinadoog Posted March 26, 2010 at 05:17 AM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 05:17 AM 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.'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creamyhorror Posted March 26, 2010 at 04:21 PM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 04:21 PM ...although you can use "but" (但是) without "although" (虽然). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbradfor Posted March 26, 2010 at 06:29 PM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 06:29 PM 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kongli Posted March 26, 2010 at 07:00 PM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 07:00 PM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yezze Posted March 26, 2010 at 07:53 PM Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 07:53 PM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted March 26, 2010 at 10:38 PM Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 at 10:38 PM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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