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HSK 7–9 · 然 · 然而 · 虽…然
然, 然而 and their relatives
然 means both so and but, depending on where it stands.
The rule
然 = so, thus: 不然 (otherwise), 虽然, 当然, 显然, 忽然, 竟然。
然而 = however — a strong turn that opens a clause, often a whole sentence: 然而事实并非如此。
然则 = that being so (very formal, rare).
不然 / 否则 = otherwise: 快走吧，不然就迟到了。
然而 is stronger than 但是 and always LEADS its clause, unlike 却 which follows the subject.
然而 = however — a strong turn that opens a clause, often a whole sentence: 然而事实并非如此。
然则 = that being so (very formal, rare).
不然 / 否则 = otherwise: 快走吧，不然就迟到了。
然而 is stronger than 但是 and always LEADS its clause, unlike 却 which follows the subject.
Blanks12
Formats4
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