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Connecting Clauses and Sentences in HSK 2: 但, 但是, 那, 虽然, 还是, 因为, and 所以
At Level 2 of the HSK syllabus, learners move beyond joining simple nouns and begin connecting full clauses or sentences. This lesson explains how to express contrast with 虽然, 但, and 但是, cause and effect with 因为 and 所以, logical follow-up with 那, and alternative clauses with 还是.
这件衣服很好看，但太贵了。
Uses 但 alone at the start of the second clause to state a concise contrast.
× 虽然外面下雨了，所以我不想出门。
虽然 frames a concession, but 所以 marks a consequence. For the ordinary causal reading, use 因为外面下雨了，所以我不想出门. The correction below instead keeps the concession and changes the second clause to an unexpected desire to go out. Missing 但是 alone is not a grammatical error.
Corrected example: 虽然外面下雨了，但是我还是想出门。
Read the full explanation and examples
Moving from Word Connectors to Clause Conjunctions
In beginner Chinese, conjunctions often connect two nouns or pronouns, such as linking two people with a word for and. In Level 2 of the supplied HSK outline, the focus expands to conjunctions that join entire clauses or sentences (连接分句或者句子): 但, 但是, 那, 虽然, 还是2, 因为2, and 所以.
Notice the syllabus numbers attached to 还是2 and 因为2. In Chinese grammar outlines, these numbers distinguish a word's clause-linking function from another role—for instance, separating the conjunction 还是 from the adverb 还是 (meaning still), or separating clause-connecting 因为 from prepositional phrases before nouns. Understanding how these seven words pair up and where they sit in a clause is essential for building natural multi-clause sentences.
Contrast and Concession: 虽然, 但, and 但是
To introduce a direct contrast between two clauses, place 但 or 但是 at the beginning of the second clause. Both mean but or however. 但是 is full and slightly more common in everyday speech, whereas 但 is a shorter form that sounds slightly more concise and appears frequently in both spoken and written Chinese.
这件衣服很好看，但太贵了。
Uses 但 alone at the start of the second clause to state a concise contrast.
When you want to frame the first clause as a concession (although or even though), place 虽然 at the start of the first clause, either before or right after the subject. Unlike English, which forbids pairing although and but in the same sentence, Chinese naturally pairs 虽然 in the first clause with 但是 or 但 in the second clause.
虽然今天很冷，但是他还是去跑步了。
Pairs 虽然 in the first clause with 但是 in the second clause. Notice that 还是 here is the adverb 'still', not the choice conjunction.
A concession sets up an expectation that the following clause does not follow. 虽然 and 但是 are a useful explicit pair, but 但是/但 is optional when the contrasting relation is clear. Choose a causal pair such as 因为...所以... if the second clause is an ordinary consequence instead.
× 虽然外面下雨了，所以我不想出门。
虽然 frames a concession, but 所以 marks a consequence. For the ordinary causal reading, use 因为外面下雨了，所以我不想出门. The correction below instead keeps the concession and changes the second clause to an unexpected desire to go out. Missing 但是 alone is not a grammatical error.
Corrected example: 虽然外面下雨了，但是我还是想出门。
虽然外面下雨了，但是我还是想出门。
Correct replacement when expressing concession: adds 但是 (and 还是) and states an unexpected action that contrasts with the rain.
Cause and Effect: 因为 and 所以
As a clause conjunction (因为2), 因为 introduces a complete clause explaining a reason, while 所以 introduces the resulting clause. Just as Chinese pairs although with but, it regularly pairs 因为 and 所以 in the same sentence to mark cause and effect clearly.
因为明天有考试，所以我今晚在家复习。
Uses 因为2 to introduce a full cause clause and 所以 to introduce the result clause.
You do not always have to use both words together. You can state a reason clause followed by 所以 alone, or state a result and add a because clause with 因为. However, when putting the cause first in formal or clear narrative sentences, pairing 因为 with 所以 is completely natural and never redundant in Chinese.
Logical Follow-up and Clause Alternatives: 那 and 还是
While beginners first learn 那 as the demonstrative pronoun that, as a conjunction 那 means then or in that case. It sits at the start of a second clause (or at the start of a speaker's reply in dialogue) to draw a decision, inference, or suggestion from what was just established.
既然你不想去外面吃，那我们在家做饭吧。
Uses 那 to introduce a logical follow-up suggestion based on the first clause.
所以 introduces a result or an inference drawn from the first clause; it need not be an objectively established event. 那 often frames a response as “in that case”, including a suggestion or decision. Their uses can overlap, and context guides the choice.
Finally, 还是2 acts as an alternative conjunction linking two clauses or verb phrases. It is most famous for forming alternative questions (offering a choice between Clause A and Clause B), but when connecting clauses it can also link two possibilities inside a statement introduced by words like 不管 or 无论 (no matter whether).
我们是今天去买东西，还是明天去？
Uses 还是2 to link two alternative clauses in a choice question.
不管你去还是不去，我都要去。
Uses 还是2 to link two alternative clauses inside an unconditional statement.
Key Contrasts and Usage Limits
- 但 vs. 但是: Both mean but and connect contrasting clauses. 但是 can be followed by a brief pause in speech, while 但 attaches directly to the following words without a pause.
- 虽然...但是... marks concession; 因为...所以... marks cause and consequence. Both are useful paired patterns, but the second connective is not obligatory in every well-formed sentence.
- 所以: a consequence or inference. 那: “in that case”, often a response or decision based on the preceding situation; some contexts allow both.
- 还是 (conjunction) vs. 还是 (adverb): In this grammar point, 还是 links two alternative clauses (or). In examples like 虽然很冷，但是他还是去跑步了, 还是 is an adverb meaning still or nevertheless.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 虽然 without 但是 or 但?
Yes. A contrasting second clause can be understood without an explicit turn marker: 虽然很贵，我想买 (“Although it is expensive, I want to buy it”). 但是, 但, 却, or 还是 can make the contrast explicit, but none is universally required.
Is it wrong to use 因为 and 所以 in the same sentence?
No. While English grammar forbids saying 'because... therefore...' in one sentence, pairing 因为 and 所以 is standard and natural in Chinese.
Why does the syllabus list 还是2 and 因为2 with numbers?
The numbers identify entries in the outline. In this row, 还是2 and 因为2 are under clause/sentence conjunctions. Learn their function in the examples without treating this row as a complete definition of every other numbered sense.
