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March 24, 2026
虽说(雖說)suīshuō(sui1shuo1)
Though (虽说) is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast or concession in Mandarin. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to acknowledge a point while presenting an opposing idea or situation.
Frequency#9419DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The use of 虽说 reflects a common Chinese rhetorical style that values nuance and indirectness. This may be seen in formal speeches or literature where acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints is appreciated.
Memory Tip
Think of 虽 (sui) as 'swaying' back and forth between two ideas and 说 (shuo) as 'saying' something. Visualize someone swaying while they speak, acknowledging a point but then presenting a counterpoint.
Meanings of 虽说
suīshuō(sui1shuo1)
1though
2although
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About 虽说
虽说Simplified
雖說Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 虽说
Podcast: 虽说
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AI Study Notes for 虽说
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 虽 (sui) as 'swaying' back and forth between two ideas and 说 (shuo) as 'saying' something. Visualize someone swaying while they speak, acknowledging a point but then presenting a counterpoint.
Usage Notes
Though is typically used in more formal contexts, so ensure to use it appropriately. A common mistake is to mix it with other conjunctions like '但是' (dànshì) or '可是' (kěshì) which can change the nuance. Remember to follow 虽说 with a clause.
HSK Study Tips
Although 虽说 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is useful for HSK 5 learners and above who are working on complex sentence structures. Focus on how it can help articulate contrasting ideas in your writing and speaking.
Cultural Note
The use of 虽说 reflects a common Chinese rhetorical style that values nuance and indirectness. This may be seen in formal speeches or literature where acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints is appreciated.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 虽说 with other conjunctions like '不过' (búguò) leading to sentences that sound choppy. For example, saying '虽然说我喜欢这个，但我不买' is incorrect; use '虽然我喜欢这个，但我不买' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虽说
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Cultural Notes for 虽说
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 虽说 reflects a common Chinese rhetorical style that values nuance and indirectness. This may be seen in formal speeches or literature where acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints is appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions about 虽说
Yes, 虽说 can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting idea.
Though similar, 虽说 is more formal and is often used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous one.
You can say, '虽说天气很冷，但我们还是去爬山' (Though the weather is cold, we still went hiking).
