لیکن
lekin
The English word 'but' is translated into Urdu as لیکن (lekin).
Meaning: except (conj)
Which one should you use?
While لیکن (lekin) is the standard word for 'but', its synonym مگر (magar) is often used in more literary or poetic contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
lekin
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, لیکن is replaced by پر (par), which literally means 'on' or 'wing' but functions as 'but' in casual speech.
- While لیکن is used for 'but', the synonym مگر can also function as 'except' or 'unless' in specific grammatical constructions.
- In certain poetic forms of Urdu, such as a Ghazal, the placement of a word like لیکن is strictly governed by rhythm and rhyme rather than just grammar. A poet might even use a different conjunction entirely just to maintain the beat.
Examples in context
- اچھا ہے، لیکن کافی نہیں ہے۔It's good, but not good enough.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of لیکن to show a contrast between being good and being enough.Tatoeba #13390839 by Roomba_Unit, translation #6715024 by maaster
- میں جانا چاہتا ہوں، لیکن میرے پاس پیسے نہیں ہیں۔I want to go, but I don't have money.This sentence shows how to use لیکن when expressing a desire versus a lack of resources.Tatoeba #10823895 by Roomba_Unit, translation #7594633 by feudalism
- آپ ٹوم کو بھولا لگ رہے تھے، لیکن وہ شرم سے کچھ کہ نہ پایا۔Tom thinks you're cute, but he's too shy to say anything.This sentence demonstrates how لیکن connects a perception with a resulting lack of action.Tatoeba #10823899 by Roomba_Unit, translation #7587433 by Hybrid
- میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں، لیکن میرے پاس وقت نہیں ہے۔I am studying, but I don't have time.
- میں بہت مشغول ہوں، پر تمہارے لئے وقت نکال سکتا ہوں۔I am very busy, but I can make time for you.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Fatima and Ali are discussing a movie they watched.
- فاطمہ Fatimaفلم اچھی تھی، لیکن بہت لمبی تھی۔Film acchi thi, lekin bohat lambi thi.The movie was good, but it was very long.
- علی Aliہاں، کہانی بھی تھوڑی بورنگ تھی۔Haan, kahani bhi thori boring thi.Yes, the story was also a bit boring.
- فاطمہ Fatimaلیکن ایکشن سین بہت زبردست تھے۔Lekin action scene bohat zabardast thay.But the action scenes were great.
- علی Aliوہ بات تو سچ ہے، فاطمہ۔Woh baat toh sach hai, Fatima.That is true, Fatima.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
