然而

rán'ér

conjunction HSK 4 #2,563

Meanings

HSK 3

天气预报说今天会下雨，然而天气很好。

Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān huì xiàyǔ, rán'ér tiānqì hěn hǎo.

The forecast said it would rain today; however, the weather is fine.

HSK 3

这个方法很简单，然而很有效。

Zhège fāngfǎ hěn jiǎndān, rán'ér hěn yǒuxiào.

This method is simple, yet very effective.

HSK 4

他很努力，然而还是失败了。

Tā hěn nǔlì, rán'ér háishi shībài le.

He worked very hard; however, he still failed.

grammar

然而 is more formal and literary than 但是 or 可是. Use 然而 in writing or formal speech; use 但是/可是 in everyday conversation.

usage

然而 is typically placed at the beginning of the second clause, introducing a contrast or unexpected turn.

然 rán

而 ér