Admittedly… but… (固然)

Structure 固然 + A (the point conceded)，但/却 + B (the objection)

固然 (gùrán) concedes a point in order to rebut it afterwards: "admittedly A, but B". It is a device of essay-writing and cultivated argument: one first grants something true or reasonable, then, with 但/却, immediately introduces the objection that really matters: 这个办法固然有效，但代价太大 = "this method is effective, true, but the cost is too high". It corresponds to a more formal, argumentative 虽然 (HSK 3), the difference being that 固然 stresses that the conceded point is beyond dispute, not a mere circumstance.

Examples

这zhè个gè办bàn法fǎ固gù然rán有yǒu效xiào，但dàn代dài价jià太tài大dà。
This method is admittedly effective, but the cost is too high.
天tiān分fèn固gù然rán重zhòng要yào，努nǔ力lì却què更gèng不bù可kě少shǎo。
Talent is admittedly important, but effort is even more indispensable.
批pī评píng固gù然rán刺cì耳ěr，但dàn往wǎng往wǎng切qiè中zhòng要yào害hài。
Criticism is admittedly harsh to hear, but it often hits the mark.
成chéng功gōng固gù然rán可kě喜xǐ，失shī败bài的de教jiào训xùn却què更gèng宝bǎo贵guì。
Success is admittedly cause for joy, but the lessons of failure are even more precious.

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