尽管
Traditional: 儘管
jǐn guǎn HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

尽管下雨,我们还是去公园。
Jǐnguǎn xià yǔ, wǒmen háishì qù gōngyuán.
Despite the rain, we still went to the park.
尽管很忙,他每天学习。
Jǐnguǎn hěn máng, tā měitiān xuéxí.
Despite being busy, he studies every day.
尽管很贵,她买了那本书。
Jǐnguǎn hěn guì, tā mǎile nà běn shū.
Despite being expensive, she bought that book.
尽管下雨,我去了。
Jǐnguǎn xià yǔ, wǒ qù le.
Despite the rain, I went.
尽管很累,他笑了。
Jǐnguǎn hěn lèi, tā xiào le.
Even though tired, he smiled.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 尽管 as 'in spite of everything' – break it down: 尽 (jǐn) means 'to the utmost', and 管 (guǎn) means 'to manage'. Together, they suggest 'managing despite everything', helping remember its meaning of 'although'.

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence to set up a contrast, and the main clause frequently includes words like 还是 (háishì) or 但/但是 (dàn/dànshì) to reinforce the contrast.

📖 Grammar Points

The typical structure is: 尽管 + [contrasting situation], (但是/还是/却) + [main outcome]. Example: 尽管下雨,他还是来了。 (Although it rained, he still came.) The second clause often includes 还是 or 但 to highlight the contrast.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, using 尽管 can soften a statement by acknowledging difficulties before stating an action, which aligns with cultural values of perseverance and humility. It's often used to express determination despite obstacles.

🔄 Similar Words

虽然 (suīrán) also means 'although', but 尽管 is slightly stronger and can imply a concession, like 'even though'. 虽然 is more neutral and common. 即使 (jíshǐ) means 'even if' and is used for hypothetical situations, while 尽管 is for factual ones.

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