固然
gù rán HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他固然聪明,但不够努力。
Tā gùrán cōngmíng, dàn búgòu nǔlì.
He is no doubt smart, but not hardworking enough.
这个想法固然好,不现实。
Zhège xiǎngfǎ gùrán hǎo, bù xiànshí.
This idea is true to be good, but unrealistic.
价格固然便宜,质量差。
Jiàgé gùrán piányí, zhìliàng chà.
The price is indeed cheap, but the quality is poor.
他固然很聪明。
Tā gùrán hěn cōngmíng.
He is certainly smart.
这固然是真的。
Zhè gùrán shì zhēn de.
This is admittedly true.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 固 (gù) meaning 'solid' or 'firm'—it firmly establishes a truth, while 然 (rán) means 'so' or 'thus'. Together, they mean 'it is firmly so (true)... but...'. Imagine saying, 'It's solidly true that...' before adding your contrasting point.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese, though more frequent in written contexts like essays, debates, or formal discussions. It appears in contexts where weighing two sides of an argument, making concessions, or prioritizing ideas—such as in discussions about values, priorities, or trade-offs.

📖 Grammar Points

固然 is typically used in a two-clause structure: '固然 + [acknowledged fact], 但/也/却 + [contrasting point]'. For example, '工作固然重要,但健康也同样重要' (Work is admittedly important, but health is equally important). It can also stand alone to concede a point, though less commonly.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, 固然 reflects a cultural tendency toward balance and moderation, often used to show respect for different viewpoints or to soften disagreements by first acknowledging validity before stating one's own position. It aligns with values of harmony and thoughtful persuasion.

🔄 Similar Words

虽然 (suīrán) also means 'although', but 固然 emphasizes admitting a fact as true before contrasting, while 虽然 is more neutral in stating a condition. 固然 often implies the conceded point is obvious or undeniable, whereas 虽然 can introduce any contrasting situation without that nuance.

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