HSK 7
虽说⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯
suī shuō ⋯ ⋯ ， dàn shì / kě shì / bú guò ⋯ ⋯
虽说……但是/可是/不过…… (Although …… but ……)
Explanation
虽说……但是/可是/不过…… is a pair of conjunctions (a word or pair of words linking clauses) that forms a concessive compound sentence (a sentence that admits something in the first clause and then states the opposite in the second), equivalent to "although it is said… but…".
虽说 (suī shuō) + [thing admitted]，+ 但是/可是/不过 (dànshì/kěshì/búguò) + [opposing point]. The following clause takes one of the three transitional conjunctions.
when admitting a fact while also stating the opposite; 虽说 is more colloquial (everyday spoken language) than 虽然 (suīrán), sounding natural and casual.
虽说 ≈ 虽然 ("although, even though") but is more colloquial; the three conjunctions in the second clause are basically interchangeable, of which 不过 is the lightest and softest and 但是 the strongest and most formal.
using both 虽说 and 但是 but then adding a redundant extra conjunction; forgetting the transitional conjunction in the second clause, which leaves the concession incomplete; using 虽说 in very formal text (you should use 虽然).
Examples
Although it's said he is young, he still cannot be overly willful.
Although it's said Chinese is very difficult, it is very interesting.
Although it's said this is a small matter, we ought to take it seriously.
Practice
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Learn “虽说⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “虽说⋯⋯ ，但是/可是/不过⋯⋯” (虽说……但是/可是/不过…… (Although …… but ……)) 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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