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 太 忙 了。 Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, kěshì / dànshì wǒ tài máng le. I really want to go, but I am too busy.
• 中文 很 有意思 ， 可是 / 但是 很 难 。 Zhōngwén hěn yǒuyìsi, kěshì / dànshì yě hěn nán. Chinese is very interesting, but it is also 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.
• 老板 昨天 给 他 打 电话 ， 可是 / 但是 他 没 接 。 Lǎobǎn zuótiān gěi tā dǎ diànhuà, kěshì / dànshì tā méi jiē. The boss gave him a call yeaterday, but he didn't answer.
• 这个 手机 很好， 可是 / 但是 我 不 需要 。 Zhè ge shǒujī hěnhǎo, kěshì / dànshì wǒ bù xūyào. This cellphone is great, but I don't need it.
• 你们 可以 在 这里 看书 ， 可是 / 但是 不 可以 聊天。 Nǐ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ kàn shū, kěshì / dànshì bù kěyǐ liáotiān. You can read books here, but you can't chat.
• 你 可以 吃 ， 可是 / 但是 不 可以 吃 太 多 。 Nǐ kěyǐ chī, kěshì / dànshì bù kěyǐ chī tài duō. You can eat, but you can't eat too much.
• 他 说 五点 来 见 我， 可是 / 但是 他 没 来。 Tā shuō wǔdiǎn lái jiàn wǒ, kěshì / dànshì tā méi lái. He said he would come to see me but he didn't.
• 那 个 地方 很 漂亮 ， 可是 / 但是 我 觉得 人 太 多 了 。 Nà ge 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

• 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