HSK 4Lesson 63
Bai Jiayue's younger brother's secondary school plans to make students wear school clothes every day, and not everyone agrees. You will hear the brother and sister argue about it, help him make his letter to the principal more polite, react to the school's reply, and hear a teacher's warning about the new rule.
You will learn to disagree politely and show contrast: although, however, but, yet, otherwise and on the contrary, and to say what you dislike or are unhappy about.
Part 1 · 10 new words
Contains 4 words
but; however
however (written)
but; yet
although; even though
Contains 4 words
it's a pity; unfortunately
opposite; the other way round
Contains 2 words
otherwise
separately; another
Part 2 · 8 phrases
这件衣服很好看，不过有点儿贵。
This jacket looks great, but it's a little expensive.
他学了三年汉语，然而成绩却一直不太好。
He has studied Chinese for three years, yet his grades have never been very good.
尽管很累，他还是把作业做完了。
Although he was tired, he still finished his homework.
快点儿走，否则我们赶不上火车了。
Hurry up, otherwise we'll miss the train.
可惜我明天有课，不能和你们一起去。
Too bad I have class tomorrow and can't go with you.
他没有睡觉，相反，一晚上都在学习。
He didn't sleep; on the contrary, he studied all night.
Part 3 · 4 conversations
Bai Jiayue's younger brother, a secondary-school pupil, disagrees with his sister about his school's plan to make students wear school clothes every day, and she suggests he write to the principal.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
听说学校下个学期要我们每天都穿学校的衣服，你怎么看？
I hear the school wants us to wear school clothes every day next term. What do you think?
白家月Bai Jiayue
我觉得挺好的。尽管学校的衣服不太好看，但是每天不用想穿什么，很方便。
I think it's fine. Although the school clothes aren't very nice-looking, you don't have to think about what to wear every day, which is convenient.
Part 4 · 6 points
转折复句 尽管……，但是……
Use 尽管jǐnguǎn + a fact you admit, then 但是dànshì, 可是kěshì or 却què + the point you want to make.
Admit a point, then make yours
尽管jǐnguǎn + A，但是dànshì + B.
dissatisfied; unhappy
to dislike; to hate
我讨厌等人，所以每次都早到十分钟。
I hate making people wait, so I always arrive ten minutes early.
客人对服务不满，所以去找了经理。
The customer was unhappy with the service, so he went to find the manager.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
方便是方便，就是夏天穿太热了。而且大家都穿一样的衣服，多没意思。
Convenient, sure, but it's far too hot to wear in summer. And everyone in the same clothes, how boring.
白家月Bai Jiayue
我的看法正好相反。大家穿得一样，就不会比谁的衣服贵了。
I see it exactly the other way round. If everyone dresses the same, nobody will compete over whose clothes are more expensive.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
你说得也对，不过我还是对这个规定有点儿不满。
You have a point, but I'm still a bit unhappy about this rule.
白家月Bai Jiayue
那你可以给校长写封信，说说你的意见。
Then you could write a letter to the principal and give your opinion.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
好主意，我今天晚上就写。
Good idea. I'll write it tonight.
Bai Jiayue's brother asks his class teacher, Teacher Zhang, to read his letter to the principal, and she helps him make it more polite and add a suggestion.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
张老师，这是我给校长写的信，您能帮我看看吗？
Teacher Zhang, this is the letter I've written to the principal. Could you look at it for me?
张老师Teacher Zhang
好。“学校希望学生每天都穿学校的衣服，然而夏天天气很热，很多学生觉得不舒服。”这句写得很清楚。
Sure. "The school hopes students will wear school clothes every day; however, the weather is very hot in summer and many students find them uncomfortable." This sentence is very clear.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
后面我写了“我们都讨厌这个规定”，您觉得可以吗？
Further on I wrote "we all hate this rule". Do you think that's OK?
张老师Teacher Zhang
“讨厌”太重了。你要写得客气一点儿，否则校长看了会不高兴。
"Hate" is too strong. You should write more politely, otherwise the principal may be upset when he reads it.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
那我改一下：“很多学生对这个规定有不同的看法。”您看怎么样？
Then I'll change it: "Many students have different views on this rule." How's that?
张老师Teacher Zhang
这样好多了。最后再提一个办法，比如学校可以另做一种夏天穿的衣服。
That's much better. Finally, suggest a solution, for example that the school could make a separate set of summer clothes.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
好，我改完了再拿给您看。
OK, I'll show it to you again when I've finished revising it.
A classmate tells Bai Jiayue's brother that the school has changed the school-clothes rule after his letter, and they react differently to the news.
同学Classmate
学校回信了！以后只有星期一和有活动的时候才穿学校的衣服。
The school has replied! From now on we only wear school clothes on Mondays and for events.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
真的？可惜不是完全不用穿。
Really? Shame we don't get to stop wearing them altogether.
同学Classmate
你还不满意啊？你只写了一封信，学校却真的改了规定，我觉得已经很好了。
You're still not happy? You only wrote one letter, yet the school actually changed the rule. I think that's already great.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
也是。我本来以为学校不会听学生的意见。
True. I'd assumed the school wouldn't listen to students' opinions.
同学Classmate
而且学校还要另做一种夏天穿的衣服，凉快一点儿的。
And the school is also going to make a separate set of summer clothes, a cooler one.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
那太好了，我最讨厌夏天穿厚衣服了。
That's great. I really hate wearing thick clothes in summer.
On a Monday, Teacher Zhang asks Bai Jiayue's brother why he isn't in school clothes, warns him about the rule, and suggests a simple solution.
张老师Teacher Zhang
今天星期一，你怎么没穿学校的衣服？
It's Monday today. Why aren't you wearing your school clothes?
弟弟Jiayue's brother
对不起，老师。我的衣服昨天洗了，到今天早上还没干。
Sorry, Teacher. I washed my school clothes yesterday and they still weren't dry this morning.
张老师Teacher Zhang
要是学校的衣服没干，就提前跟我说，否则别的老师会以为你不按规定办。
If your school clothes aren't dry, tell me in advance; otherwise the other teachers will think you're not following the rules.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
我知道了。不过这个星期三学校还有活动，也要穿学校的衣服。我只有一件，怕又来不及干。
I understand. But there's an event at school this Wednesday, and we have to wear the school clothes for that too. I only have one, and I'm afraid it won't dry in time again.
张老师Teacher Zhang
那你可以另买一件，两件换着穿，就不会有这个问题了。
Then you could buy another one and wear the two in turn; then you won't have this problem.
弟弟Jiayue's brother
好，我今天下午就去学校的商店买。
OK, I'll go and buy one at the school shop this afternoon.
In Bai Jiayue's reply, she admits the school clothes aren't nice-looking but argues it is convenient.
In sentences
Although … but
尽管他每天都很忙，但是每个周末都回家看父母。
Although he's busy every day, he goes home to see his parents every weekend.
但是dànshì opens the second clause.
With 可是
尽管天气很热，可是大家还是穿着学校的衣服。
Although it was very hot, everyone still wore their school clothes.
可是kěshì works the same way.
With 却
尽管我说了很多次，他却一点儿也没改。
Although I've told him many times, he hasn't changed at all.
却què goes after the subject 他tā.
A：学校的衣服要每天穿吗？ B：尽管学校这样要求，可是只有星期一大家才穿。
A: Do we have to wear school clothes every day? B: Although the school asks for that, only on Mondays does everyone wear them.
尽管夏天很热，弟弟还是每个星期一穿学校的衣服。
Although summer is hot, the younger brother still wears his school clothes every Monday.
尽管jǐnguǎn admits that something is true, and the second clause makes the speaker's real point: 尽管学校的衣服不太好看，但是每天不用想穿什么，很方便jǐnguǎn xuéxiào de yīfu bú tài hǎokàn, dànshì měi tiān bú yòng xiǎng chuān shénme, hěn fāngbiàn. The second clause needs a contrast word: 但是dànshì or 可是kěshì at its start, or 却què after its subject. 尽管jǐnguǎn can stand before or after the subject of the first clause. It is close to 虽然suīrán but stresses that the fact really is so, and sounds a little more formal. A common error is leaving out the contrast word, as in 尽管学校的衣服不好看，很方便jǐnguǎn xuéxiào de yīfu bù hǎokàn, hěn fāngbiàn; add 但是dànshì.
……，然而……
Use 然而rán'ér at the start of a clause to bring in a contrast in letters, reports and articles.
A contrast in a letter
A，然而rán'ér + B.
The brother writes 然而rán'ér in his letter, but would say 但是dànshì to his sister.
In sentences
In an article
这个办法看起来不错，然而真正做起来并不容易。
This method looks good; however, it is not easy to actually carry out.
Written register; 然而rán'ér opens the clause.
In a report
很多家长觉得这个规定很好，然而也有学生对它不满。
Many parents think this rule is good; however, some students are unhappy with it.
然而rán'ér comes before the rest of the clause.
With 尽管
尽管学校做了很多准备，然而活动还是没有办好。
Although the school made a lot of preparations, the event still didn't take place.
Pairs with 尽管jǐnguǎn in writing.
A：校长回信了吗？ B：回了，然而信上没有说什么时候改。
A: Has the principal replied? B: Yes, but the letter doesn't say when it will change.
弟弟在信里写了很多原因，然而学校只改了一部分规定。
The younger brother wrote many reasons in his letter, yet the school changed only some of the rules.
然而rán'ér means however. It opens the second part of a sentence, or a new sentence, and says that what follows goes against what came before: 学校希望学生每天都穿学校的衣服，然而夏天天气很热，很多学生觉得不舒服xuéxiào xīwàng xuésheng měi tiān dōu chuān xuéxiào de yīfu, rán'ér xiàtiān tiānqì hěn rè, hěn duō xuésheng juéde bù shūfu. Its meaning is close to 但是dànshì, but its register is written: it suits a letter to a principal, a report or an article, and sounds stiff in a chat with friends, where 但是dànshì or 不过búguò is used. Like 但是dànshì, it comes first in its clause, before the subject; it can follow a 虽然suīrán or 尽管jǐnguǎn clause in writing. A common error is to place it after the subject as you would 却què: write 然而夏天天气很热rán'ér xiàtiān tiānqì hěn rè
……，不过……
Use 不过búguò at the start of a clause or sentence to add a reservation or a different view, more softly than 但是dànshì.
Agree, then disagree politely
Agreement，不过búguò + your view.
The brother agrees with his sister in part before saying he is still unhappy.
In sentences
Polite disagreement
这个主意不错，不过我想再考虑一下。
That's a good idea, but I'd like to think it over a bit more.
不过búguò after agreeing softens a no.
Adding a condition
我可以跟你一起去，不过得等我下班以后。
I can go with you, but it'll have to be after I finish work.
不过búguò adds a limit to a yes.
A small limit
这家店的东西很好，不过有点儿贵。
This shop's things are good, but a bit expensive.
Adds a reservation after praise.
A：这个办法怎么样？ B：很好，不过要先问问张老师。
A: How is this idea? B: Very good, but we should ask Teacher Zhang first.
你的信写得很清楚，不过最后一句可以再客气一点儿。
Your letter is very clear, but the last sentence could be a bit more polite.
不过búguò means but or however. It starts the second clause, or a new sentence, before the subject: 你说得也对，不过我还是对这个规定有点儿不满nǐ shuō de yě duì, búguò wǒ háishi duì zhège guīdìng yǒudiǎnr bùmǎn. Compared with 但是dànshì, it is lighter and more conversational: it often adds a limit, a small problem or one's own view after agreeing, which makes it useful for disagreeing politely. It can also open a new sentence that adds something the listener should know: after 我知道了wǒ zhīdào le, I see, the brother adds 不过这个星期三学校还有活动búguò zhège xīngqīsān xuéxiào hái yǒu huódòng. For a strong, formal contrast, use 但是dànshì or, in writing, 然而rán'ér. A common error is to put 不过búguò after the subject, as with 却què: say 不过我还是不满búguò wǒ háishi bùmǎn
……，否则……；要是……，就……，否则……
Say what should be done, then 否则fǒuzé + the unwelcome result if it isn't; or 要是yàoshi A，就jiù B，否则fǒuzé C.
Advise and warn
Advice，否则fǒuzé + unwelcome result.
Teacher Zhang uses 否则fǒuzé to show why the boy should be more polite.
If …, then …, otherwise …
要是yàoshi A，就jiù B，否则fǒuzé C.
否则fǒuzé refers to not doing B.
In sentences
Otherwise
你最好现在就订票，否则过几天就买不到了。
You'd better book your ticket now; otherwise you won't be able to get one in a few days.
Advice first, then 否则fǒuzé.
If … otherwise
要是你明天不能来，就早点儿告诉我，否则我们会一直等你。
If you can't come tomorrow, let me know early; otherwise we'll keep waiting for you.
The full three-part pattern: 否则fǒuzé = if you don't tell me.
After a fact
还好你提醒我了，否则我就忘了。
Good thing you reminded me, otherwise I'd have forgotten.
The first clause states a fact; 否则fǒuzé says what would have happened.
With 得
我们得早点儿出发，否则会迟到。
We have to set off early, otherwise we'll be late.
得děi gives the advice.
A：明天一定要穿学校的衣服。 B：知道了，我今天晚上就洗，否则明天穿不了。
否则fǒuzé means otherwise. The first clause says what someone should do, and 否则fǒuzé opens the result that follows if they don't, usually something unwelcome: 你要写得客气一点儿，否则校长看了会不高兴nǐ yào xiě de kèqi yìdiǎnr, fǒuzé xiàozhǎng kàn le huì bù gāoxìng. The longer pattern gives a condition, what to do, and the warning: 要是学校的衣服没干，就提前跟我说，否则别的老师会以为你不按规定办yàoshi xuéxiào de yīfu méi gān, jiù tíqián gēn wǒ shuō, fǒuzé biéde lǎoshī huì yǐwéi nǐ bú àn guīdìng bàn. Here 否则fǒuzé means if you don't tell me. 否则fǒuzé always starts its clause and is a little formal. The first clause is often advice with 要yào, 得děi or 应该yīnggāi; it can also state a fact, as in 还好你提醒我了，否则我就忘了hái hǎo nǐ tíxǐng wǒ le, fǒuzé wǒ jiù wàng le 'good thing you reminded me, otherwise I'd have forgotten'. Contrast:
关联副词 却
Put 却què after the subject and before the verb to show that something turns out differently from what you expected.
An unexpected result
A，subject + 却què + unexpected B.
The classmate stresses how little the brother did and how much the school changed.
In sentences
Surprise
我本来以为他会生气，他却笑了。
I thought he'd get angry, but he laughed instead.
却què after the subject 他tā.
Against the weather
天气很冷，他却只穿了一件衬衫。
It was cold, yet he was only wearing a shirt.
The second fact goes against the first.
Broken promise
他答应早点儿来，却又迟到了。
He promised to come early, yet he was late again.
Same subject in both clauses, so 却què comes straight after the comma.
A：他不是说要来吗？ B：他说要来，却一直没来。
A: Didn't he say he would come? B: He said so, yet he never came.
弟弟的信不长，学校却很快回了信。
The younger brother's letter was not long, yet the school replied quickly.
却què is an adverb meaning but or yet. It goes in the second clause, after its subject and right before the verb or adjective, and shows that the result is different from what the first clause would lead you to expect: 你只写了一封信，学校却真的改了规定nǐ zhǐ xiě le yì fēng xìn, xuéxiào què zhēn de gǎi le guīdìng. It often carries surprise. Because it is an adverb, not a conjunction, it can follow 但是dànshì or 可是kěshì in the same clause for extra force: 他说要早点儿来，可是他却最后一个到tā shuō yào zǎo diǎnr lái, kěshì tā què zuìhòu yí ge dào. With 尽管jǐnguǎn it closes the pattern taught in the first note of this lesson. 却què cannot start a clause and cannot stand before the subject: say 学校却改了规定xuéxiào què gǎi le guīdìng, not 却学校改了规定què xuéxiào gǎi le guīdìng. Contrast: 却què
……X是X，就是/不过……
Repeat a word around 是shì to admit a point, then add the drawback with 就是jiùshì or 不过búguò.
Half agree, then object
X是X (X shì X)，就是jiùshì + drawback.
The brother admits the school clothes are convenient but names the problem.
In sentences
It's just that
这个房子大是大，就是离学校太远了。
This apartment is big all right, it's just too far from school.
就是jiùshì names the one problem.
With 不过
好看是好看，不过有点儿贵。
It's nice-looking all right, but it's a bit expensive.
不过búguò works the same way.
With a verb
我想去是想去，就是没有时间。
I do want to go, it's just that I don't have time.
X can be a short verb phrase.
A：你喜欢吃辣的吗？ B：喜欢是喜欢，不过吃多了肚子会痛。
A: Do you like spicy food? B: I do like it, but too much gives me a stomachache.
学校的衣服干净是干净，就是弟弟觉得太旧了。
The school clothes are clean all right, it's just that the younger brother finds them too old.
In X是X (X shì X), the same adjective or verb stands on both sides of 是shì: it admits that something is true, and the next clause adds a but. You have already met it with 可是kěshì, as in 辣是辣，可是很好吃là shì là, kěshì hěn hǎochī. Here the second clause starts with 就是jiùshì or 不过búguò, which make the objection lighter: it's true, it's just that …: 方便是方便，就是夏天穿太热了fāngbiàn shì fāngbiàn, jiùshì xiàtiān chuān tài rè le. 就是jiùshì here means it's just that, pointing to the one problem; it is not the even if of 就是……，也…… (jiùshì …, yě …). This is a spoken pattern for half-agreeing before you object. The X is usually a short adjective or verb, and it is repeated exactly, with nothing after the first X. A common error is to change the word: say 方便是方便fāngbiàn shì fāngbiàn, not 方便是很方便fāngbiàn shì hěn fāngbiàn.
我知道了。不过这个星期三学校还有活动，也要穿学校的衣服。我只有一件，怕又来不及干。
I understand. But there's an event at school this Wednesday, and we have to wear the school clothes for that too. I only have one, and I'm afraid it won't dry in time again.
Why it matters · 不过búguò opens a new sentence with a problem the teacher should know.
A: Be sure to wear your school clothes tomorrow. B: Got it, I'll wash them tonight, otherwise I can't wear them tomorrow.
弟弟得在星期五以前把信交给张老师，否则校长就看不到了。
The younger brother has to give the letter to Teacher Zhang before Friday, otherwise the principal won't see it.
要是学校的衣服没干，就提前跟我说，否则别的老师会以为你不按规定办。
If your school clothes aren't dry, tell me in advance; otherwise the other teachers will think you're not following the rules.
Why it matters · 要是…就…，否则… (yàoshi … jiù …, fǒuzé …) in full.
