Difference between revisions of "Two words for "but""
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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!
 
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!
  
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== Basic Pattern ==
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=== 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.
 
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.
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== Examples ==
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=== Examples ===
  
 
Usually 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì) precede a new phrase within a sentence:
 
Usually 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì) precede a new phrase within a sentence:

Revision as of 06:47, 3 July 2015

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 guì 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 zuò dé hěn hǎo, kěshì / dànshì tā zuò 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 duō 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

Sources and further reading

Books


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