but in Chinese

How to write 但是

Animated stroke order. Tap a character to replay its stroke order.

但是 is listed in the official HSK vocabulary at HSK 2. An elementary band: common words for simple everyday exchanges.

但是 in a sentence

• 我wǒ想xiǎng去qù，但dàn是shì没méi有yǒu时shí间jiān。

  I want to go, but I do not have time.

• 他tā很hěn累lèi，但dàn是shì还hái在zài工gōng作zuò。

  He is tired but still working.

• 这zhè件jiàn衣yī服fú好hǎo看kàn，但dàn是shì太tài贵guì。

  This piece of clothing looks good but is too expensive.

但是 vs 可是 vs 不过 vs 然而

Similar and easily confused words, and how they differ.

• 可是 kě shì but (colloquial)

  The spoken 'but' — 可是太贵了 'but it's too expensive'. 但是 is neutral and works in speech and writing.

• 不过 bú guò but; however (soft)

  A softer 'but/though' for mild reservations — 不错，不过有点贵 'not bad, just a bit pricey'.

• 然而 rán ér however (formal)

  Written 'however' for essays — 然而事实并非如此 'however, that is not the case'. Sounds stiff in speech.