Two words for "but"

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. The small difference is that 可是 (kěshì) is a bit more formal and more more common in northern China, and 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.

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。I like him but he doesn't like me.
• 我 很 想 去，可是 / 但是 我 很 忙。I really want to go, but I am very busy.
• 中文 很 有用，可是 / 但是 很 难。Chinese is very useful, but it is very hard.
• 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服，可是 / 但是 太 贵 了。I like that piece of clothing, but it is too expensive.
• 我 给 他 打 电话，可是 / 但是 他 不 接。I gave him a call, but he didn't answer.
• 我 喜欢，可是 / 但是 我 不 需要。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。You can read books here, but you can't chat.
• 你 可以 去，可是 / 但是 不 是 现在。You can go, but not right now.
• 你 做 得 很 好，可是 / 但是 他 做 得 更 好。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。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