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)
Words for "but"
但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér)
HSK 4ConjunctionsWords for "but"
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
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Words for "but"” in Chinese?
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.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 4 grammar rules
Connecting qualities with "而 (ér)"
Adj. 1 + 而 (ér) + Adj. 2
Using "来 (lái)" to connect two verb phrases
(用 (yòng) / 通过 (tōngguò)) + Method + 来 (lái) + Purpose
Expressing "in addition" with "再说 (zàishuō)"
⋯⋯，再说 (zàishuō)，⋯⋯
Expressing "in addition" with "还有 (háiyǒu)"
⋯⋯，还有 (háiyǒu) + Additional Information
A softer "but" with "不过 (bùguò)"
⋯⋯，不过 (búguò) ⋯⋯
Expressing "and then" with "于是 (yúshì)"
⋯⋯，于是 (yúshì) ⋯⋯
Expressing "in addition" with "另外 (lìngwài)"
⋯⋯，另外 (lìngwài)，⋯⋯
Indicating the whole with "全 (quán)"
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun