Difference between revisions of "Two words for "but""
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| + | Using "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn, and it involves two words. No "buts" about it! | ||
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| + | == Basic Pattern == | ||
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| + | 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: | ||
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| + | {| class="wikitable"style="width:100%" | ||
|可是 vs 但是 | |可是 vs 但是 | ||
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| Used more in the north || Used more in the south | | Used more in the north || Used more in the south | ||
| − | |} | + | |} |
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| + | == Examples == | ||
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| + | Usually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence: | ||
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| + | <div class="liju"> | ||
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| + | * 我 喜欢，<em>但是</em> 我 不 需要。<span class="trans">I like it, but I don't need it</span> | ||
* 在 图书馆 你 可以 喝水，<em>但是</em> 不 可以 抽烟。<span class="trans">In the library you can drink water, but you can't smoke.</span> | * 在 图书馆 你 可以 喝水，<em>但是</em> 不 可以 抽烟。<span class="trans">In the library you can drink water, but you can't smoke.</span> | ||
* 公司 会 给 你 加 工资，<em>但是</em> 不 是 现在。<span class="trans">The company gives you plus wages, but not at the moment.</span> | * 公司 会 给 你 加 工资，<em>但是</em> 不 是 现在。<span class="trans">The company gives you plus wages, but not at the moment.</span> | ||
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* 中文 很 有用，<em>可是</em> 很 难。<span class="trans">Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.</span> | * 中文 很 有用，<em>可是</em> 很 难。<span class="trans">Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.</span> | ||
* 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服，<em>可是</em> 太 贵 了。<span class="trans">I like that piece of clothes, but it is too expensive.</span> | * 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服，<em>可是</em> 太 贵 了。<span class="trans">I like that piece of clothes, but it is too expensive.</span> | ||
| − | * 我 给 他 打 电话，<em>可是</em> 他 不 接。<span class="trans">I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.</span> | + | * 我 给 他 打 电话，<em>可是</em> 他 不 接。<span class="trans">I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.</span> |
| + | |||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
*[[A Softer "But"]] | *[[A Softer "But"]] | ||
| − | *[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]] | + | *[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]] |
| − | *[[发展汉语 中级汉语口语上]] (pp. 3) | + | |
| + | == 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) [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] | ||
| + | *[[发展汉语 中级汉语口语上]] (pp. 3) | ||
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| + | [[Category:A2 grammar points]] | ||
{{Basic Grammar|但是|A2|……，但是 / 可是……|我 喜欢，<em>但是</em> 我 不 需要。|grammar point|ASGUD81S}} | {{Basic Grammar|但是|A2|……，但是 / 可是……|我 喜欢，<em>但是</em> 我 不 需要。|grammar point|ASGUD81S}} | ||
{{Rel char|可是}} | {{Rel char|可是}} | ||
Revision as of 08:46, 26 November 2013
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
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 |
Examples
Usually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence:
- 我 喜欢，但是 我 不 需要。I like it, but I don't need it
- 在 图书馆 你 可以 喝水，但是 不 可以 抽烟。In the library you can drink water, but you can't smoke.
- 公司 会 给 你 加 工资，但是 不 是 现在。The company gives you plus wages, but not at the moment.
- 你 做 得 很 好，但是 他 做 得 更 好。You did very well, but he did better.
- 我们 决定 九点 见面，可是 我 觉得 他 会 迟到。We decided on meeting at 9 o'clock, but I think that he is late.
- 我 很 想 去，可是 我 很 忙。I really want to go, but I am very busy.
- 可是 他 不 喜欢 我 怎么办？But he doesn't like what I do.
- 中文 很 有用，可是 很 难。Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.
- 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服，可是 太 贵 了。I like that piece of clothes, but it is too expensive.
- 我 给 他 打 电话，可是 他 不 接。I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.
See also
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)
