Two words for "but"

Using "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn, and it involves two words. No "buts" about it!

Basic Pattern

There are two main words for "but" in Chinese: 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). These are largely the same, with some small differences:

可是 vs 但是
可是	但是
Lighter	Stronger
Less formal	More formal
Used more in speech	Used more in writing
Used more in the north	Used more in the south

Statement, 可是/但是 + transitional statement

Examples

Usually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence:

• 我 喜欢 他，可是/但是 他 不 喜欢 我。I like him but he doesn't like me.
• 我 很 想 去，可是/但是 我 很 忙。I really want to go, but I am very busy.
• 中文 很 有用，可是/但是 很 难。Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.
• 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服，可是/但是 太 贵 了。I like that piece of clothes, but it is too expensive.
• 我 给 他 打 电话，可是/但是 他 不 接。I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.
• 我 喜欢，可是/但是 我 不 需要。I like it, but I don't need it
• 在 这里 你 可以 看书，可是/但是 不 可以 聊天。You can reading books here, but you can't chat.
• 你 可以 去，可是/但是 不 是 现在。You can go, but not at the moment.
• 你 做 得 很 好，可是/但是 他 做 得 更 好。You did very well, but he did better.
• 那 个 地方 很 漂亮，可是/但是 我 觉得 人 太 多 了。That place is beautiful, but I think there are so many people there.

Note: 在口语的表达中，人们也喜欢省略“但是”“可是”后面的“是”而直接说“但”或者”可“。

See also

• A Softer "But"
• "Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 254 - 5) →buy
• 发展汉语 中级汉语口语上 (pp. 3)