Two words for "but"

Using "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn. It involves two words 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). Make no "buts" about it; you'll understand it in no time!

Basic Pattern

There are two main words for "but" in Chinese: 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). These are largely the same. The small difference is that 可是 (kěshì) is a bit more formal and more common in northern China, whereas 但是 (dànshì) is more informal and a bit stronger in tone. You really don't need to worry about "which one is the right one to use" though. They can be used interchangeably.

Statement, 可是 / 但是 + [contrary statement]

Examples

Usually 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì) precede a new phrase within a sentence:

• 我 喜欢 他 ， 可是 / 但是 他 不 喜欢 我 。 Wǒ xǐhuan tā, kěshì / dànshì tā bù xǐhuan wǒ. I like him, but he doesn't like me.
• 我 很 想 去 ， 可是 / 但是 我 很 忙 。 Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, kěshì / dànshì wǒ hěn máng. I really want to go, but I am very busy.
• 中文 很 有用 ， 可是 / 但是 很 难 。 Zhōngwén hěn yǒu yòng, kěshì / dànshì hěn nán. Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.
• 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服 ， 可是 / 但是 太 贵 了 。 Wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn yīfu, kěshì / dànshì tài gùi le. I like that piece of clothing, but it is too expensive.
• 我 给 他 打 电话 ， 可是 / 但是 他 不 接 。 Wǒ gěi tā dǎ diànhuà, kěshì / dànshì tā bù jiē. I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.
• 我 喜欢 ， 可是 / 但是 我 不 需要 。 Wǒ xǐhuan, kěshì / dànshì wǒ bù xūyào. 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 。 Zài zhèlǐ nǐ kěyǐ kàn shū, kěshì / dànshì bù kěyǐ liáotiān. You can read books here, but you can't chat.
• 你 可以 去 ， 可是 / 但是 不 是 现在 。 Nǐ kěyǐ qù, kěshì / dànshì bù shì xiànzài. You can go, but not right now.
• 你 做 得 很 好 ， 可是 / 但是 他 做 得 更 好 。 Nǐ zùo dé hěn hǎo, kěshì / dànshì tā zùo dé gèng hǎo. You did very well, but he did even better.
• 那 个 地方 很 漂亮 ， 可是 / 但是 我 觉得 人 太 多 了 。 Nà gè dìfang hěn piàoliang, kěshì / dànshì wǒ juéde rén tài dūo le. That place is beautiful, but I think there are too many people there.

Note: In informal spoken Chinese, 可是 (kěshì) can be shortened to 可 (kě), and 但是 (dànshì) can be shortened to 但 (dàn).

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 (p. 3)→buy