虽 meaning and stroke order
Although; even though
How to write 虽, stroke by stroke
9 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
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- 9
Meaning of 虽
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- although
- even though
How 虽 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 虫 (insect), shared by 197 characters on this site.
How to remember 虽
虽 is a mouth 口 sitting on top of a bug 虫. Picture saying "although it is small" about the bug, and the mouth reminds you that 虽 opens a sentence that is about to turn.
虽 almost always appears in 虽然 (suīrán), which starts a concession clause and is usually answered by 但是 (dànshì) or 可是 (kěshì) in the next clause. Example: 虽然很累，但是我很开心。(Suīrán hěn lèi, dànshì wǒ hěn kāixīn.) Although I am tired, I am happy.
Common mistake: English speakers often drop 但是 because English does not say "although... but." In Chinese, pairing 虽然 with 但是 or 可是 is normal and expected. Also keep the first tone suī, not the second tone suí as in 随 (suí, to follow).
Common words with 虽
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
虽 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 虽
Learning 虽 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 虽
How many strokes are in 虽?
虽 is written with 9 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 虽 mean?
虽 (suī) means although; even though. A common word with it is 虽然 (suīrán), meaning "although; even though (often used correlatively with 可是[ke3 shi4] or 但是[dan4 shi4] etc)".
How do you pronounce 虽?
虽 is pronounced suī, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 虽?
The radical of 虽 is 虫, which carries the idea of "insect". Dictionaries list 虽 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 虽?
The traditional form of 虽 is 雖. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 虽 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 虽 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 虽 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
Can 虽然 go after the subject?
Yes. You can say 虽然我很忙 or 我虽然很忙. Both are correct. Putting it after the subject is common when both clauses share the same subject.
What does 话虽如此 mean and when do I use it?
话虽如此 (huà suī rúcǐ) means "be that as it may" or "even so." You use it to accept what someone said and then add a different point. It sounds a bit formal and works well in writing or careful speech.