可是

kě shì

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Conjunction Very common

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Definitions

1. but; however
2. (used for emphasis) indeed

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 只是 zhǐ shì 只是 zhǐ shì merely; only; just; nothing but 只是 means 'it's just that', often softens a statement.: merely; only; just; nothing but

Synonyms

3 items

• 但是 dàn shì 但是 dàn shì but; however Both mean 'but', but 但是 is more formal and written.: but; however
• 不过 bù guò 不过 bù guò only 不过 is more colloquial and less contrasting than 可是.: only
• 然而 rán ér 然而 rán ér however; yet; but 然而 is formal, used in writing, similar to 'however'.: however; yet; but

Usage notes

Collocations

Often pairs with 虽然 (suī rán) in '虽然...可是...' to mean 'although...but...'.

Formality

可是 is common in speech; for formal writing prefer 但是.

Example Sentences

3 shown

我虽然很累， 可是 很开心。

Although I am very tired, I am very happy.

别看他年纪小， 可是 做事很认真。

Don't think that just because he's young, he doesn't do things seriously.

这东西好倒是好， 可是 太贵了。

This thing is good indeed, but it's too expensive.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 可是

• 可 可 kě: can
• 是 是 shì: to be (followed by substantives only)