Both words are formal, written-register connectives that pivot toward a second clause. 固然固然 gùrán says “yes, that’s true, but…” about a fact everyone already accepts. 縱然纵然 zòngrán says “even if that were the case…” about something hypothetical, extreme, or not yet true.
1 Structure
A + 固然固然 gùrán + Clause 1，但但/可是可是/然而然而 + Clause 2
固然固然 gùrán acknowledges that Clause 1 is true or reasonable, then pivots with 但但 dàn, 可是可是 kěshì, or 然而然而 rán’ér to make a more important point.
錢固然重要，但健康更重要钱固然重要，但健康更重要
Money is certainly important, but health matters more.
這個方法固然有效，可是成本太高这个方法固然有效，可是成本太高
This method is certainly effective, but the cost is too high.
他的想法固然有道理，然而現實情況並非如此簡單他的想法固然有道理，然而现实情况并非如此简单
His idea does make sense, but the real situation isn’t that simple.
旅行固然能放鬆心情，但也需要花不少錢旅行固然能放松心情，但也需要花不少钱
Traveling can certainly relax the mind, but it also costs quite a bit.
努力固然重要，運氣也是不可忽視的因素努力固然重要，运气也是不可忽视的因素
Effort is certainly important, but luck is also a factor that can’t be ignored.
縱然纵然 zòngrán + Clause 1，也也/還是还是 + Clause 2
縱然纵然 zòngrán introduces a hypothetical or extreme situation, then 也也 yě or 還是还是 háishì shows that the second clause holds true regardless. It’s more literary than 即使即使 jíshǐ, and often shows up in writing or formal speech.
縱然失敗了，我也不會放棄纵然失败了，我也不会放弃
Even if I fail, I won’t give up.
縱然千辛萬苦，他還是完成了任務纵然千辛万苦，他还是完成了任务
Even through countless hardships, he still completed the mission.
縱然你說得再有道理，我還是不同意纵然你说得再有道理，我还是不同意
Even if what you say makes sense, I still don’t agree.
縱然全世界都反對，她也堅持自己的選擇纵然全世界都反对，她也坚持自己的选择
Even if the whole world opposed it, she still stuck to her own choice.
縱然時間再緊迫，我們也要把工作做好纵然时间再紧迫，我们也要把工作做好
Even if time is tight, we still have to get the work done well.
2 Common Mistakes
The two get mixed up because they both concede a point before pivoting — but one concedes a fact, the other a hypothetical.
❌
縱然錢很重要，但健康更重要纵然钱很重要，但健康更重要
✅
錢固然重要，但健康更重要钱固然重要，但健康更重要
Money being important isn’t hypothetical — it’s an accepted fact, so 固然固然 gùrán is right. 縱然纵然 zòngrán would imply “even if money were important,” which doesn’t make sense here.
❌
錢固然重要，健康也更重要钱固然重要，健康也更重要
✅
錢固然重要，但健康更重要钱固然重要，但健康更重要
固然固然 gùrán needs a contrastive connector like 但但 dàn, 可是可是 kěshì, or 然而然而 rán’ér in the second clause — not 也也 yě, which belongs with 縱然纵然 zòngrán instead.
3 固然固然 vs 縱然纵然
A quick side-by-side of the two words.
|
固然固然 gùrán |
縱然纵然 zòngrán |
| Concedes |
A fact everyone already accepts |
A hypothetical or extreme situation |
| English feel |
“Granted, … but …” |
“Even if …” |
| Pairs with |
但但 dàn / 可是可是 kěshì / 然而然而 rán’ér |
也也 yě / 還是还是 háishì |
| Similar to |
雖然虽然 suīrán (“although”) but stronger, more formal |
即使即使 jíshǐ (“even if”) but more literary |
| Example |
錢固然重要，但健康更重要钱固然重要，但健康更重要 |
縱然失敗了，我也不會放棄纵然失败了，我也不会放弃 |
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Money is certainly important, but happiness matters more.
金錢固然重要，但快樂更重要金钱固然重要，但快乐更重要
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02Even if the road ahead is difficult, we must keep moving forward.
縱然前方的路很艱難，我們也必須繼續前進纵然前方的路很艰难，我们也必须继续前进
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03This plan is certainly good, but it’s not entirely realistic.
這個計畫固然不錯，但並不完全實際这个计划固然不错，但并不完全实际
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04Even if he apologizes, I won’t forgive him.
縱然他道歉，我也不會原諒他纵然他道歉，我也不会原谅他
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05Success certainly needs talent, but hard work matters too.
成功固然需要天分，但努力也很重要成功固然需要天分，但努力也很重要
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06Even if it rains heavily tomorrow, the event will proceed as planned.
縱然明天下大雨，活動也會照常舉行纵然明天下大雨，活动也会照常举行
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07Beauty is certainly attractive, but character is more important.
外表固然吸引人，但品格更重要外表固然吸引人，但品格更重要
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08Even if everyone objects, I will still insist on my decision.
縱然大家都反對，我還是會堅持我的決定纵然大家都反对，我还是会坚持我的决定
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09Freedom is certainly precious, but responsibility cannot be ignored.
自由固然可貴，但責任也不能被忽視自由固然可贵，但责任也不能被忽视
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10Even if the outcome is uncertain, we should still try.
縱然結果難以預料，我們也應該嘗試纵然结果难以预料，我们也应该尝试
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