Definition
诚然 is a formal conjunction used to concede a point before introducing a contrasting statement. It carries the meaning 'admittedly' or 'it is true that…, but…'. You'll mostly encounter it in written Chinese, speeches, or formal discussions. The pattern is: 诚然 A, 但是/可是/却 B — acknowledging A is true, then pivoting to the more important point B.
conj.
admittedlyit is true that… (used to concede a fact before a contrasting statement)
Examples
- 诚然，。chéng rán zhège wèntí hěn fùzá, dàn wǒmen yí dìng néng jiějué.Admittedly this problem is very complicated, but we will certainly be able to solve it.
- 诚然，。chéng rán tā fàn le cuòwù, kěshì tā bìng bú shì gùyì de.Admittedly he made a mistake, but he didn't do it on purpose.
- 诚然，。chéng rán tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen què háishì chūfā le.Admittedly the weather was bad, yet we still set off.
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