但是
dànshì
But...
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
HSK 4Conjunctions
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.
他学习不好可是很聪明。
Tā xuéxí bùhǎo kěshì hěn cōngmíng.
He doesn’t study well, but he is smart.
这双鞋不错可是贵了点儿。
Zhè shuāng xié bùcuò kěshì guì le diǎnr.
These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive.
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.
他学习不好可是很聪明。
Tā xuéxí bùhǎo kěshì hěn cōngmíng.
He doesn’t study well, but he is smart.
这双鞋不错可是贵了点儿。
Zhè shuāng xié bùcuò kěshì guì le diǎnr.
These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive.
Practice
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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