Difference between revisions of "Two words for "but""

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*[[A Softer "But"]]
 
*[[A Softer "But"]]
 
*[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]]
 
*[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]]
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== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
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* [[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) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
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*[[发展汉语 中级汉语口语上]] (pp. 3)
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]

Revision as of 03:38, 16 May 2012

There are two main words for "but" in Chinese: 可是 and 但是. 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

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

  • 我 喜欢,但是 我 不 需要 买。
  • 在 图书馆 你 可以 喝水,但是 不 可以 抽烟。
  • 我们 决定 九点 见面,可是 我 觉得 他 会 迟到。

See also

Sources and further reading

Books