Usage note
然而表示转折，意思像但是。
rán ér biǎo shì zhuǎn zhé， yì sī xiàng dàn shì。
However means contrast, similar to but.
Context note
然而常出现在书面语里。
rán ér cháng chū xiàn zài shū miàn yǔ lǐ。
However often appears in written language.
5 examples
他很努力，然而成绩不高。
tā hěn nǔ lì， rán ér chéng jì bù gāo。
He works hard; however, his grades are not high.
天气很好，然而我还是没出门。
tiān qì hěn hǎo， rán ér wǒ hái shì méi chū mén。
The weather was nice; however, I still did not go out.
大家都同意，然而他不同意。
dà jiā dōu tóng yì， rán ér tā bù tóng yì。
Everyone agreed; however, he did not.
路很近，然而我们走了很久。
lù hěn jìn， rán ér wǒ men zǒu le hěn jiǔ。
The road is near; however, we walked for a long time.
她想帮忙，然而不会做。
tā xiǎng bāng máng， rán ér bú huì zuò。
She wanted to help; however, she could not do it.
5 mini stories
我们以为会很简单，然而并不容易。
wǒ men yǐ wéi huì hěn jiǎn dān， rán ér bìng bù róng yì。
We thought it would be easy; however, it was not.
他准备了很久，然而还是紧张。
tā zhǔn bèi le hěn jiǔ， rán ér hái shì jǐn zhāng。
He prepared for a long time; however, he was still nervous.
天气说会放晴，然而一直在下雨。
tiān qì shuō huì fàng qíng， rán ér yì zhí zài xià yǔ。
The forecast said it would clear up; however, it kept raining.
这条路看起来近，然而很绕。
zhè tiáo lù kàn qǐ lái jìn， rán ér hěn rào。
This road looks close; however, it is winding.
她很累，然而还是坚持学习。
tā hěn lèi， rán ér hái shì jiān chí xué xí。
She was tired; however, she still kept studying.
Mini dialogue
天气变化
A
今天天气很好，我们去公园吧。
Jīntiān tiānqì hěn hǎo, wǒmen qù gōngyuán ba.
The weather is nice today, let's go to the park.
B
好主意，然而我作业还没写完。
Hǎo zhǔyi, rán'ér wǒ zuòyè hái méi xiě wán.
Good idea, however I haven't finished my homework yet.
选择水果
A
你想吃苹果还是香蕉？
Nǐ xiǎng chī píngguǒ háishì xiāngjiāo?
Do you want to eat an apple or a banana?
B
苹果很甜，然而我今天想吃香蕉。
Píngguǒ hěn tián, rán'ér wǒ jīntiān xiǎng chī xiāngjiāo.
Apples are sweet, however I want to eat a banana today.
Related words and contrasts
similar
但是
dàn shì
but
Both show a contrast. 然而 is more formal or written.
similar
可是
kě shì
but
Used in everyday speech to show contrast, like 然而.
similar
不过
bú guò
however; but
A softer contrast, often used in casual talk.