Two words for "but"

Using "but" in Chinese is really simple and easy to learn. It involves two words 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì). Make no "buts" about it; you'll understand it in no time!

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 common in northern China, whereas 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. They can be used interchangeably.

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。Wǒ xǐhuan tā, kěshì / dànshì tā bù xǐhuan wǒ. I like him, but he doesn't like me.
  • 我 很 想 去,可是 / 但是 我 太 忙 了。 Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, kěshì / dànshì wǒ tài máng le. I really want to go, but I am too busy.
  • 中文 很 有意思,可是 / 但是 很 难。Zhōngwén hěn yǒuyìsi, kěshì / dànshì yě hěn nán. Chinese is very interesting, but it is also very hard.
  • 我 喜欢 这 件 衣服,可是 / 但是 太 贵 了。Wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn yīfu, kěshì / dànshì tài guì le. I like that piece of clothing, but it is too expensive.
  • 老板 昨天 给 他 打 电话,可是 / 但是 他 没 接。Lǎobǎn zuótiān gěi tā dǎ diànhuà, kěshì / dànshì tā méi jiē. The boss gave him a call yeaterday, but he didn't answer.
  • 这个 手机 很好,可是 / 但是 我 不 需要。Zhè ge shǒujī hěnhǎo, kěshì / dànshì wǒ bù xūyào. This cellphone is great, but I don't need it.
  • 你们 可以 在 这里 看书,可是 / 但是 不 可以 说话。Nǐ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ kàn shū, kěshì / dànshì bù kěyǐ shuōhuà. You can read books here, but you can't talk.
  • 你 可以 吃, 可是 / 但是 不 可以 吃 太 多。Nǐ kěyǐ chī, kěshì / dànshì bù kěyǐ chī tài duō. You can eat, but you can't eat too much.
  • 他 说 五点 来 见 我,可是 / 但是 他 没 来。Tā shuō wǔdiǎn lái jiàn wǒ, kěshì / dànshì tā méi lái. He said he would come to see me but he didn't.
  • 那 个 地方 很 漂亮,可是 / 但是 人 太 多 了。Nà ge dìfang hěn piàoliang, kěshì / dànshì rén tài duō le. That place is beautiful, but 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

Sources and further reading

Books