HSK 7
⋯⋯ 固然⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯
⋯ ⋯ gù rán ⋯ ⋯ ， dàn shì / kě shì / bú guò ⋯ ⋯
固然⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯
Explanation
……固然……，但是/可是/不过…… is a concessive compound-sentence construction (a multi-clause sentence joined by conjunctions). 固然 (gùrán) means 'admittedly, it is true that', used to acknowledge something true in the first clause, and then the latter clause shifts to a more important or opposing point.
(topic) + 固然 (gùrán) + (what is acknowledged as true), + 但是/可是/不过 (dànshì / kěshì / búguò 'but, however') + (the contrary or more important point).
when you want to say 'although A is indeed true, it is B that deserves attention/is more important'; the semantic focus lies in the latter clause. It carries a written flavor and is somewhat formal.
固然 (gùrán) differs from 虽然 (suīrán 'although') in that 固然 implies 'granting that this is indeed true, beyond dispute' before shifting; whereas 虽然 merely states a fact in the first clause. In many cases 固然 carries a more clearly concessive, acknowledging tone.
固然 (gùrán) stands after the subject, before the part being acknowledged (聪明固然重要, not the forced '固然聪明重要' placed at the head of the sentence); and the latter clause must have a turning word 但是/可是/不过—without it the sentence is left unfinished.
Examples
For a person's success, being smart is admittedly important, but hard work is even more important.
The internet does indeed bring us convenience, but it also brings us no small amount of trouble.
This method is truly useful, but it also cannot solve the fundamental problem.
Practice
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Learn “⋯⋯ 固然⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “⋯⋯ 固然⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯” (固然⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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