How to say “but” in Chinese: 但是, 可是, 不过, 然而
但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér)
但是 (dàn shì) — but, however
但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér)
HSK 4Conjunctions但是 (dàn shì) — but, however
Rule structure
但是 (dànshì) and 可是 (kěshì) are common "but". 不过 (bùguò) is softer. 然而 (rán'ér) is more formal/literary. All express contrast.
Rule structure
但是 (dànshì) and 可是 (kěshì) are common "but". 不过 (bùguò) is softer. 然而 (rán'ér) is more formal/literary. All express contrast.
Examples
我想去，但是没时间。/ 他学习不好，可是很聪明。/ 这双鞋不错，不过贵了点儿。/ 他很有钱，然而并不幸福。
Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì méi shíjiān. / Tā xuéxí bù hǎo, kěshì hěn cōngming. / Zhè shuāng xié bùcuò, bùguò guì le diǎnr. / Tā hěn yǒu qián, rán'ér bìng bù xìngfú.
I want to go, but I don’t have time. / He doesn’t study well, but he is smart. / These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive. / He is rich, yet not happy.
Examples
我想去，但是没时间。/ 他学习不好，可是很聪明。/ 这双鞋不错，不过贵了点儿。/ 他很有钱，然而并不幸福。
Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì méi shíjiān. / Tā xuéxí bù hǎo, kěshì hěn cōngming. / Zhè shuāng xié bùcuò, bùguò guì le diǎnr. / Tā hěn yǒu qián, rán'ér bìng bù xìngfú.
I want to go, but I don’t have time. / He doesn’t study well, but he is smart. / These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive. / He is rich, yet not happy.
Build the sentence
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “but, however” in Chinese with 但是?
Use the structure: 但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér). For example: 我想去，但是没时间。/ 他学习不好，可是很聪明。/ 这双鞋不错，不过贵了点儿。/ 他很有钱，然而并不幸福。 — “I want to go, but I don’t have time. / He doesn’t study well, but he is smart. / These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive. / He is rich, yet not happy.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我想去，但是没时间。/ 他学习不好，可是很聪明。/ 这双鞋不错，不过贵了点儿。/ 他很有钱，然而并不幸福。 — “I want to go, but I don’t have time. / He doesn’t study well, but he is smart. / These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive. / He is rich, yet not happy.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
而 — connecting qualities
Adj. 1 + 而 (ér) + Adj. 2
来 — linking method to purpose
(用 (yòng) / 通过 (tōngguò)) + Method + 来 (lái) + Purpose
再说 — in addition, besides
⋯⋯，再说 (zàishuō)，⋯⋯
还有 — in addition
⋯⋯，还有 (háiyǒu) + Additional Information
不过 — softer “but”
⋯⋯，不过 (búguò) ⋯⋯
于是 — and then
⋯⋯，于是 (yúshì) ⋯⋯
另外 — in addition
⋯⋯，另外 (lìngwài)，⋯⋯
全 — whole, entire
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun