Sentence Connectors: 不过, 但, 但是, 而且, 那, 如果, 虽然, 只要
连接分句：不过、但、但是、而且、那、如果、虽然、只要
Connect clauses using key conjunctions to express contrast, addition, condition, and consequence
Sentence connectors link two clauses to show their logical relationship — contrast (但是, 不过, 但), addition (而且), condition (如果, 只要), concession (虽然), or consequence (那).
Some connectors begin a new clause (但是, 而且, 不过, 那), while others begin the FIRST clause and require a partner in the second (虽然……但是, 如果……就, 只要……就). Learning these pairs is essential.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Sentence Connectors: 不过, 但, 但是, 而且, 那, 如果, 虽然, 只要 (连接分句：不过、但、但是、而且、那、如果、虽然、只要)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 连接分句：不过、但、但是、而且、那、如果、虽然、只要 pattern
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Understanding 连接分句：不过、但、但是、而且、那、如果、虽然、只要
Until now, your Chinese sentences have been mostly standalone — one thought at a time. Now you are learning to connect thoughts, and this changes everything. These eight connectors are the glue that holds complex ideas together. 但是/但/不过 all mean "but" — they flip the direction. 而且 means "moreover" — it adds to the first idea. 如果 means "if" — it sets up a condition. 虽然 means "although" — it concedes a point before countering it. 只要 means "as long as" — it sets a minimum condition. 那 means "then / in that case" — it draws a conclusion. Master these and your Chinese will jump from basic to intermediate in one leap. The key is learning which connectors are interchangeable (但/但是/不过 are all "but"), which come in pairs (虽然……但是, 如果……就, 只要……就), and where each sits in the sentence.
Key Points
- 但是 (dànshì) = "but / however" — the standard, most common "but."
- 但 (dàn) = "but" — shorter, slightly more formal/written.
- 不过 (búguò) = "but / however" — softer and more casual than 但是.
- 而且 (érqiě) = "moreover / and also / furthermore" — adds information.
- 那 (nà) = "then / in that case" — draws a conclusion from the previous statement.
- 如果 (rúguǒ) = "if" — introduces a condition, often paired with 就 in the result clause.
- 虽然 (suīrán) = "although / even though" — concedes a point, paired with 但是/可是.
- 只要 (zhǐyào) = "as long as / provided that" — sets a minimum condition, paired with 就.
Chinese communication values indirectness and softening. This is why 不过 (a softer "but") is extremely popular in spoken Chinese — it disagrees without being confrontational. Using 不过 instead of 但是 is a small but meaningful step towards sounding polite and natural.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
现在已经是冬天了，但北京还不太冷。
It is already winter, but Beijing is still not too cold.
你不去，那我就一个人去。
If you are not going, then I will go alone.
这个菜很好吃，不过有一点儿辣。
This dish is very tasty, but it is a bit spicy.
他不但会说中文，而且说得很好。
Not only can he speak Chinese, but he speaks it very well.
虽然很累，但是我还要继续工作。
Although I am very tired, I still need to keep working.
如果明天下雨，我们就不去了。
If it rains tomorrow, we will not go.
只要你努力，就一定能成功。
As long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed.
我想去，但是没有时间。
I want to go, but I do not have time.
Common Mistakes
虽然 needs a partner — 但是, 可是, or 不过 in the second clause. Do not use 虽然 alone.
如果 is best paired with 就 in the result clause. Without 就, the sentence feels incomplete.
While 而且 can be used alone, the full pattern 不但……而且 is more natural when listing impressive achievements.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
The "but" trio: 但是 (standard), 但 (concise/written), 不过 (soft/spoken). In casual conversation, 不过 is your best friend.
Pair training: practice 虽然……但是, 如果……就, 只要……就 as fixed pairs until they become automatic.
那 is a conversation superstar — it moves dialogue forward: "You do not want this? 那 I will take it."
而且 adds power to your statements — practice with 不但……而且: 他不但聪明，而且很努力.
Start by mastering 但是 and 如果 — these two alone will dramatically improve your sentence complexity.
Homework
Write two sentences for each connector (16 total): two with 但是, two with 不过, two with 而且, two with 那, two with 如果……就, two with 虽然……但是, two with 只要……就, and two with 但. Try to use real situations from your daily life.