虽然…但是【suīrán … dànshì】

虽然 opens a clause that admits a fact. 但是 opens the next clause, which says what is true in spite of it. English uses "although" or "but", never both; Chinese normally uses both.

Keep the 但是

Translating "although" alone leaves the Chinese sentence hanging. The second clause needs 但是 or 可是.

• × 虽然他很忙，他来了 → 虽然他很忙，但是他来了

可是 means the same and is more spoken. 但 and 不过 also work.

The 虽然 half is the one that can go: 很贵，但是很好吃 is a complete sentence.

Where the subject goes

With one subject for both clauses, it usually goes before 虽然. 但是 always starts its clause, so a second subject comes after it.

• × 虽然下雨了，我们但是去了 → 虽然下雨了，但是我们去了

The second clause often carries 还是 ("still") or 也 before its verb, pressing the point that the fact didn't change anything.