Lesson 1· 10 min

However and Whereas: 然而 and 而

Turn an argument with the written 然而 ('however') and set two things side by side with 而 ('whereas'), and know which one a sentence needs.

然而: the written 'however'

然而 (rán'ér) means the same as 但是, but it's more formal: you'll meet it in articles, reports, the news and speeches. It usually opens the second sentence, often followed by a comma: 他很努力。然而，结果并不理想. What follows 然而 goes against what the first part led you to expect.

然而 doesn't pair with 虽然: the partner of 虽然 is 但是 or 可是. It can combine with 却 (B2) after the subject for extra contrast: 然而他却拒绝了.

In conversation people say 但是, 可是 or 不过. Saying 然而 in a casual chat sounds as bookish as 'nevertheless' over coffee.

他准备了很久。然而，比赛那天他病了。

Tā zhǔnbèi le hěn jiǔ. Rán'ér, bǐsài nà tiān tā bìng le. -- He prepared for a long time. However, on the day of the match he fell ill.

大家都以为他会赢。然而，他输了。

Dàjiā dōu yǐwéi tā huì yíng. Rán'ér, tā shū le. -- Everyone thought he would win. However, he lost.

这个办法看起来很简单，然而效果并不好。

Zhège bànfǎ kàn qǐlai hěn jiǎndān, rán'ér xiàoguǒ bìng bù hǎo. -- This method looks simple; however, it doesn't actually work well.

计划很完美，然而现实往往不是这样。

Jìhuà hěn wánměi, rán'ér xiànshí wǎngwǎng bú shì zhèyàng. -- The plan is perfect; reality, however, is often different.

Quick check

1. Which sentence is correct?

而: whereas

而 (ér) links two contrasting halves of one sentence, like English 'whereas' or 'while': 我喜欢安静，而他喜欢热闹 (I like quiet, whereas he likes things lively). The two halves usually have different subjects and a parallel structure, and they're compared side by side: neither is a surprise.

You've met the same 而 in 不是…而是 (B2). In formal writing, 而 can also join two adjectives that contrast: 这种花美而不香 (this flower is beautiful but has no scent).

南方多雨，而北方比较干燥。

Nánfāng duō yǔ, ér běifāng bǐjiào gānzào. -- The south gets a lot of rain, whereas the north is fairly dry.

有的人喜欢早起，而有的人喜欢晚睡。

Yǒu de rén xǐhuan zǎo qǐ, ér yǒu de rén xǐhuan wǎn shuì. -- Some people like getting up early, while others like going to bed late.

城里很热闹，而乡下很安静。

Chéng li hěn rènao, ér xiāngxia hěn ānjìng. -- The city is lively, whereas the countryside is quiet.

这种花美而不香。

Zhè zhǒng huā měi ér bù xiāng. -- This flower is beautiful but has no scent.

Quick check

1. In 我喜欢安静，而他喜欢热闹, what does 而 show?

然而 or 而?

Ask yourself which English word fits. 'However' (and the result is not what you'd expect) → 然而, usually at the start of a new sentence. 'Whereas, while' (two sides compared at the same time) → 而, inside one sentence, before the second subject.

So 哥哥学理科，而妹妹学文科 compares two people, while 他每天练习。然而，比赛还是输了 turns from effort to an unexpected result.

哥哥学理科，而妹妹学文科。

Gēge xué lǐkē, ér mèimei xué wénkē. -- The older brother studies science, whereas the younger sister studies humanities.

他每天都练习。然而，比赛还是输了。

Tā měitiān dōu liànxí. Rán'ér, bǐsài háishi shū le. -- He practised every day. However, he still lost the match.

Quick check

1. 哥哥很外向，___弟弟很内向。(The older brother is outgoing, whereas the younger one is shy.)

Try it yourself

Write a sentence or two using what this lesson covered. Not graded -- just for you, saved so you can come back to it.

Pinyin

Pick with a tap, a number key or Space. A Chinese keyboard on your device works in the box below too.

Final review

0/17 answered across this lesson

1. 然而 is closest in meaning to:

2. How did it turn out?

3. Which sentences are correct? (Choose all that apply.)

Select all that apply.

4. Complete (characters or pinyin).

5. Complete (characters or pinyin).

6. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

7. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

8. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

9. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

10. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

11. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).

12. Put the words in order.

Hint: “It's easy to talk about; however, it's hard to do.”

Tap words below in order

13. Translate into English.

14. Raise a doubt in a discussion where everyone seems too optimistic.

Say your answer out loud and record it, then compare it with the model.

Tip: rán'ér: two rising tones; the apostrophe marks the syllable break.

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