Definition
但是 (dàn shì) is the standard, neutral conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' — it works in both speech and writing. 可是 (kě shì) is more colloquial and emphatic, while 但 (dàn) is a shorter form often used in writing. For everyday conversation, 但是 is the safest choice.
conjunction
buthowever
Examples
- ，但是。Wǒ míngtiān xiǎng qù gōngyuán, dàn shì tiānqì bù hǎo.I want to go to the park tomorrow, but the weather is bad.
- ，但是。Tā xuéxí hěn hǎo, dàn shì bú kuàilè.He studies very well, but he is not happy.
- ，但是。Zhège píngguǒ dà, dàn shì bù hǎochī.This apple is big, but it's not tasty.
Grammar
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