Chinese word

然而

Pronunciation

Pinyinrán ér

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

我很想去旅行，然而现在没时间。wǒ hěn xiǎng qù lǚ xíng rán ér xiàn zài méi shí jiān

I really want to travel, but I don't have time right now.

Illustration for 然而 (but)

More examples

他口头上答应了，然而还是没有行动。tā kǒu tóu shàng dā yìng le rán ér hái shì méi yǒu xíng dòng

He agreed verbally, but still took no action.

Core concept

A hinge that turns from the first statement to a contrasting or surprising second one.

Common phrases

  • 然而还是rán ér hái shì

    but still

  • 虽然如此，然而suī rán rú cǐ rán ér

    even so

Similar words

但是dàn shì: Introduces a contrasting statement after a previously mentioned fact or idea.
可是kě shì: Presents a different fact or view with feeling in everyday speech.
不过bú guò: Signals a gentle adjustment or supplementary detail about the preceding statement.
虽然suī rán: Sets up a concession by accepting the first situation before stating a contrasting one.

Definition in Chinese

表示转折关系，连接前后两部分，后项常与前项相反或出人意料，常用于书面语。biǎo shì zhuǎn zhé guān xì lián jiē qián hòu liǎng bù fèn hòu xiàng cháng yǔ qián xiàng xiāng fǎn huò chū rén yì liào cháng yòng yú shū miàn yǔ

Word origin

It combines 然 (rán, "so") + 而 (ér, "and"), an old linking pattern that turns from a preceding statement to an unexpected continuation.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this connector often sounds more formal than the surrounding language, so it is especially useful for recognizing written contrasts and for deliberate speech.

Other meanings

  • neverthelessconjunction

Opposites

Word lists with this word