虽然…但是
suīrán…dànshì
Nod first, then turn the road
The picture A nod granting the first fact, then the road bending away from it to the other side. 虽然…但是 grants, then turns; 因为…所以 grants and keeps going the same way.
Where the picture shows up in 虽然…但是
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Granting it, then turning
虽然工资不高,但是工作很稳定。
suīrán gōngzī bù gāo, dànshì gōngzuò hěn wěndìng
The pay isn't high, but the work is very steady.
a payslip with a small number glanced at and folded away, then a finger on a worn staff badge
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虽然 after the subject
这家店虽然小,但是东西很全。
zhè jiā diàn suīrán xiǎo, dànshì dōngxi hěn quán
This shop is small, but it has everything.
stepping through a narrow shop door into shelves packed tight to the ceiling
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A softer turn (不过)
虽然我不太懂,不过我可以帮你查。
suīrán wǒ bú tài dǒng, búguò wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ chá
I don't really know, but I can look it up for you.
hands raised in a shrug, then the screen pulled over and a search box opened
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Word against reality (可是)
他虽然答应了,可是到现在还没来。
tā suīrán dāyìng le, kěshì dào xiànzài hái méi lái
He did say yes, but he still hasn't come.
a message reading 'on my way' left open while eyes move between an empty chair and the wall clock
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All the same, I'll do it (还是)
虽然已经很晚了,我还是想把它做完。
suīrán yǐjīng hěn wǎn le, wǒ háishi xiǎng bǎ tā zuòwán
It's already late, but I still want to finish this.
one look at the late clock, then the desk lamp switched back on and the chair pulled in
All of it in one picture
虽然…但是 is one bending road. Grant the small pay, then bend to 'steady'; grant the small shop, then bend to shelves packed full. You can bend gently with 不过, show a promise that broke with 可是, or let 还是 carry the second half into 'all the same, I'll do it'.