हालाँकि

Although

Level 4Sounds Like hālām̐ki

हालाँकि means although or though.

How It Works

हालाँकि introduces a fact that you might expect to stop the main event, but it does not. The हालाँकि clause usually comes first: हालाँकि वह बीमार था, वह दफ़्तर गया। (Although he was ill, he went to the office.)

Hindi often adds फिर भी (even so) or लेकिन (but) at the start of the main clause: हालाँकि वह बीमार था, फिर भी दफ़्तर गया. This is correct Hindi, even though English does not put although and but in one sentence. Leave but out of your English translation. फिर भी makes the contrast stronger.

हालाँकि can also come second, to add a reservation after the main point: मैं आऊँगा, हालाँकि मुझे थोड़ी देर हो सकती है (I'll come, though I may be a little late). In the news it often starts a new sentence, like English however: हालाँकि, पुलिस ने अभी कुछ नहीं कहा है.

The verb after हालाँकि is an ordinary verb, not the subjunctive, because the fact is real. For no matter how, use चाहे ... भी instead. Formal writing uses the pair यद्यपि ... तथापि for the same idea as हालाँकि.

Examples (4)

  1. हालाँकि वह थकी हुई थी, फिर भी काम करती रही।

    Although she was tired, she kept working.

    फिर भी in the main clause makes the contrast stronger.

  2. हालाँकि बारिश हो रही थी, हम घूमने निकल गए।

    Although it was raining, we went out for a walk.

    Here the main clause has no extra linking word.

  3. मैं पार्टी में आऊँगा, हालाँकि मुझे थोड़ी देर हो सकती है।

    I'll come to the party, though I might be a little late.

    Placed second, हालाँकि adds a reservation.

  4. हालाँकि यह फ़ोन महँगा है, लेकिन इसका कैमरा बहुत अच्छा है।

    Although this phone is expensive, its camera is very good.

    Hindi can use लेकिन after हालाँकि; the English drops but.

How It Connects

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हालाँकिLevel 4Although

Learn This First

Although sets up a contrast that फिर भी often completes.

Words in This Pattern

हालाँकि