Which one should you use?
While 但是 is a standard way to express contrast, you may encounter other forms: 可是 (kěshì) is a common, slightly more colloquial alternative, while 不过 (búguò) serves as a softer, more casual way to say 'but' or 'however'. For a more formal or written tone, 然而 (rán'ér) is often used. In very casual speech, the term 可是啊 (kěshì a) can be used to add emphasis and convey an emotional or exclamatory tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal writing or speeches, use 然而. For informal or softer contradictions in spoken Chinese, use 不过. The term 可是啊 is specifically colloquial and emotional.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 但是 is frequently paired with 虽然 (suīrán) to create an 'although… but…' structure (虽然…但是…). Note that while this is standard in Chinese, using both words together in a single English sentence is often considered redundant.
How do you pronounce it?
dànshì
Did you know?
- In classical Chinese, the concepts now expressed by 但是 were often implied by word order alone, meaning the language originally functioned without explicit words for 'but'.
- The word 不过 (búguò) can literally be translated as 'not pass', which gives it the physical sense of 'not exceeding' a certain point.
- The character 但 (dàn) in 但是 originally meant 'only' or 'just', which is why the word carries a subtle nuance of 'only' in certain historical contexts.
Examples in context
- 但是您有孩子。But you have kids.This example shows how to use 但是 to introduce a contrasting fact about having children.Tatoeba #8577718 by GlossaMatik, translation #5836291 by OsoHombre
- 但是，我不要。But I don't want to.This example illustrates using 但是 to express a refusal.Tatoeba #8696219 by crescat, translation #1491670 by fanty
- 但是咖啡不好喝。But the coffee isn't tasty.This example shows how 但是 introduces a negative quality of a noun.Tatoeba #3365899 by go_oo, translation #7787219 by sharris123
- 他是一位勤奋的学生, 然而 他的成绩却不太好。He is a hardworking student, but his grades are not very good.
- 昨天天气很好， 可是 今天下雨了。The weather was good yesterday, but it is raining today.
- 我很想去旅行， 但是 我没有时间。I really want to go on a trip, but I don't have time.
- 我很累， 不过 我还是想去看电影。I'm very tired, but I still want to go watch a movie.
- 235 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie at a cafe.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这部电影很好看。Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn hǎokàn.This movie is very good.
- 浩然 Haoran但是太长了。Dànshì tài cháng le.But it is too long.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen但是你不觉得很有意思吗？Dànshì nǐ bù juéde hěn yǒu yìsi ma?But don't you think it's very interesting?
- 浩然 Haoran很有意思，但是有点累。Hěn yǒu yìsi, dànshì yǒudiǎn lèi.It's interesting, but a bit tiring.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
