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, with some small differences:

Statement, 可是/但是 + transitional statement

Usually 可是 and 但是 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 clothes, 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 reading books here, but you can't chat.
你可以去，可是/但是不是现在。You can go, but not at the moment.
你做得很好，可是/但是他做得更好。You did very well, but he did 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 so many people there.

Note: 在口语的表达中，人们也喜欢省略“但是""可是"后面的"是"而直接说"但"或者"可"。