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

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{{Grammar Box}} \r\nUsing "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn, and it involves two words. No "buts" about it!\r\n== Basic Pattern ==\r\nThere are two main words for "but" in Chinese: 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). These are largely the same, with some small differences:\r\n{| class="wikitable"style="width:100%"
 
 
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:
 
 
 
{| 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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|}\r\n== Examples ==\r\nUsually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 喜欢,<em>但是</em> 我 不 需要。<span class="trans">I like it, but I don't need it</span>
 
 
== Examples ==
 
 
 
Usually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 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>
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* 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>\r\n</div>\r\n==See also==
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
==See also==
 
 
*[[A Softer "But"]]
 
*[[A Softer "But"]]
*[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]]
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*[["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"]]\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* [[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)\r\n\r\n[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
== 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)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[[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 06:22, 26 November 2013

\r\nUsing "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn, and it involves two words. No "buts" about it!\r\n== Basic Pattern ==\r\nThere are two main words for "but" in Chinese: 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). These are largely the same, with some small differences:\r\n{| class="wikitable"style="width:100%"

|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

|}\r\n== Examples ==\r\nUsually 可是 and 但是 precede a new phrase within a sentence:\r\n

\r\n* 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.\r\n

\r\n==See also==

  • A Softer "But"
  • "Although" with "suiran" and "danshi"\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* 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)\r\n\r\n