然而 rán ér
“however; yet; but”
conjunctionHSK 4 · 2021 list level 4
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
然而 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1608: 然而 rán’ér — Level 4; official annotation 4 (连). PDF page 120
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 然而
然而 means "however" or "yet" and introduces a contrasting idea. It usually comes at the beginning of the second clause after a comma, in the pattern "..., 然而 ...". It is more formal and written than 但是 or 可是.
例句Example sentences
- 这次考试很难，然而我没有放弃。zhè cì kǎo shì hěn nán, rán ér wǒ méi yǒu fàng qì.This exam was hard; however, I didn't give up.
- 他生病了，然而还是来上课了。tā shēng bìng le, rán ér hái shì lái shàng kè le.He was sick, yet he still came to class.
- 商店里的东西很贵，然而买的人很多。shāng diàn lǐ de dōng xi hěn guì, rán ér mǎi de rén hěn duō.The things in the shop are expensive; however, many people buy them.