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但是

dàn shì
HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 2 Conjunction Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. but; however

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Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item
虽然
suī rán

although; even though (often used correlatively with 可是[kě shì] or 但是[dàn shì] etc)

虽然 'although' often pairs with 但是 in 'although... but...' structures.

Register variants

1 item
然而
rán ér

however; yet; but

然而 is formal or literary, equivalent to 'however' in written language.

Synonyms

2 items
可是
kě shì

but; however

可是 is slightly more colloquial; both mean 'but' or 'however'.
不过
bù guò

only

不过 is softer, meaning 'but' or 'however', often used in spoken Chinese.

Usage notes

Collocations

Frequently used with 虽然 (suī rán) to mean 'although... but...'. In Chinese, both can appear together.

Common mistakes

Learners often place 但是 directly after the subject in the second clause: 他虽然很忙，但是来参加了。

Grammar

Guides that feature 但是

Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.

8 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
却 for “But” Against Expectation

Use 却 after the subject to show that the second part goes against what the first part leads you to expect.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min
可是 and 可 for “But”

Start the second clause with 可是, or the shorter, more casual 可, when what follows goes against what you just said.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 7 min
多重复句 for Sentences with Two Layers of Logic

Learn to read long Chinese sentences that combine two relations, such as cause inside contrast, by finding the outer layer first.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
然而 and 而 for “However” and “Whereas”

Use 然而 to start a clause that goes against what came before, and 而 to set two different subjects side by side.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min
话是这么说 and 话又说回来 for “That’s True, But …”

Use 话是这么说 to accept someone’s point before adding a “but”, and 话（又）说回来 to turn around and show the other side.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 5 min
那 and 但 for “In That Case” and “But”

At the start of a reply, 那 means “then, in that case”; 但 is a shorter 但是 for “but”. Together with 虽然, 因为, 所以 and 还是, they join clauses.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
甚至 for “Even” and 不过 for “However”

Use 甚至 to push a point to its most surprising case, and 不过 to add a soft “but” after a statement.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 6 min
虽然...但是...

Make “although...but...” sentences that connect opposing ideas.

Reading: dàn shì Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
我想去， 但是 我没有时间。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
他很瘦， 但是 很健康。
He is thin but very healthy.
我们的起点很低， 但是 进步很快。
Our starting point was very low, but we progressed quickly.
这个地方固然漂亮， 但是 人太多了。
Admittedly, this place is beautiful, but it's too crowded.
按说他应该到了， 但是 还没来。
Normally he should have arrived, but he hasn't come yet.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 但是

但
dàn

but; yet; however; still

是
shì

to be (followed by substantives only)