When do I use 但是 vs 却?

Use 但是 when you simply need to connect two contrasting statements neutrally. Use 却 when you want to emphasize that the second part contradicts expectation or adds a sense of surprise. 但是 is a conjunction (starts a clause), while 却 is an adverb (goes after the subject, before the verb).

Can 却 be used without 但是?

Yes, absolutely. 却 can stand alone as a contrastive adverb in a single clause, e.g., '他很有钱，却不快乐' (He is rich, yet unhappy). It does not need 但是 to express contrast, but it cannot start a sentence.

Is 却 formal or informal?

却 is neutral to slightly literary. It is common in both writing and speech, but in very casual conversation, speakers might prefer 但是 or simply 可是. However, 却 is perfectly fine in spoken Chinese when emphasizing unexpectedness.

Why can't I put 却 at the beginning of a sentence?

因为却 is an adverb, not a conjunction. Adverbs modify verbs and must follow the subject. If you want to start a sentence with a contrast, use the conjunction 但是 or 可是 instead: e.g., '他却迟到了' is correct; '却他迟到了' is wrong.

Easily confusedHSK 4

但是 vs 却 (dànshì vs què): conjunction or adverb for contrast

Q: Why can't I put 却 at the beginning of a sentence?

因为 却 is an adverb, not a conjunction. Adverbs modify verbs and must follow the subject. If you want to start a sentence with a contrast, use the conjunction 但是 or 可是 instead: e.g., '他却迟到了' is correct; '却他迟到了' is wrong.

但是 is a conjunction meaning 'but' that connects two contrasting clauses, typically placed at the start of the second clause. 却 is an adverb meaning 'yet' or 'however' that goes after the subject and before the verb, adding a sense of unexpectedness. Learners often confuse them by putting 却 at the beginning of a sentence like a conjunction, which is incorrect.

Both 但是 (dànshì) and 却 (què) express contrast, but they belong to different parts of speech and follow different sentence positions. 但是 is a conjunction that introduces a contrasting clause, equivalent to English 'but', and always appears at the beginning of that clause (after a subject or not). 却 is an adverb that modifies the verb, meaning 'yet' or 'nevertheless', and must be placed after the subject and before the verb phrase. While 但是 is neutral in tone, 却 often implies a contradiction with expectation or a sense of irony. They can also co-occur for emphasis in a 但是…却… pattern.

Cuándo usar cada uno

但是dàn shì

but (conjunction)

Use 但是 to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast or exception to the first. It is the standard, neutral way to say 'but' and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It can be shortened to 但 in casual speech.

但是 cannot be used inside a single clause; it always links two clauses or sentences. It does not carry strong emotional or surprising weight—it simply states contrary information.

却què

yet (adverb)

Use 却 to add a contrastive, often unexpected nuance within a clause. It must be placed after the subject and before the verb phrase, and it typically highlights a contradiction between what is expected and what actually happens. It is common in written and spoken Chinese, often with a slightly more literary or emphatic feel than 但是.

却 cannot start a sentence or clause on its own; it must follow a subject. It can be combined with other contrastive conjunctions like 虽然 (suīrán) or 但是 to strengthen the contrast: 虽然他很努力，却失败了. In such patterns, 却 adds a layer of surprise or regret.

De un vistazo

	但是	却
Part of speech	Conjunction	Adverb
Position in clause	Beginning of second clause (after optional subject)	After subject, before verb phrase
Can start a sentence?	Yes (e.g., 但是，他来了)	No; must follow a subject
Tone	Neutral contrast	Adds unexpectedness / contradiction
Can be combined?	Can be followed by 却 for emphasis (但是…却…)	Can follow 但是 or 虽然 for added contrast

Ejemplos

但是
他很聪明，但是不努力。
Tā hěn cōng ming, dàn shì bù nǔ lì.
He is smart, but not hardworking.
Standard use of 但是 to connect two contrasting clauses.
却
他明明很努力，却考得不好。
Tā míng míng hěn nǔ lì, què kǎo dé bù hǎo.
He was obviously very hardworking, yet he didn't do well on the exam.
却 adds a sense of unexpectedness despite effort.
却
虽然天气很冷，大家却很有热情。
Suī rán tiān qì hěn lěng, dà jiā què hěn yǒu rè qíng.
Although the weather was cold, everyone was very enthusiastic.
却 pairs with 虽然 to highlight the contrast between weather and mood.
但是
她喜欢音乐，但是不喜欢唱歌。
Tā xǐ huan yīn yuè, dàn shì bù xǐ huan chàng gē.
She likes music, but she doesn't like singing.
Simple contrast using 但是; 却 could be used here too but would imply surprise.
但是
我想去，但是却没有时间。
Wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn shì què méi yǒu shí jiān.
I want to go, but I don't have time (unfortunately).
但是 and 却 can co-occur; 却 adds a note of regret or unexpectedness. Both are correct here.
却
他很聪明，却不努力。
Tā hěn cōng ming, què bù nǔ lì.
He is smart, yet he doesn't work hard.
Contrast alone with 却 (no 但是). Emphasizes the contradiction: expected to work hard, but doesn't.

Errores comunes

Using 却 at the beginning of a clause like a conjunction, e.g., '却他不喜欢' (should be '他却不喜欢' or '但是他不喜欢').
Omitting the subject before 却 when a contrast is intended, e.g., '却很高兴' (should include a subject like '他却很高兴').
Using 但是 when a more emotional or unexpected contrast would be better expressed with 却, e.g., '他考试没通过，但是不伤心' sounds flat; better: '...却不伤心' to show surprise.
Placing 却 without a clear subject (e.g., in a complex sentence with no explicit subject before 却). Ensure the subject is present or implied from context.

Preguntas frecuentes

When do I use 但是 vs 却?: Use 但是 when you simply need to connect two contrasting statements neutrally. Use 却 when you want to emphasize that the second part contradicts expectation or adds a sense of surprise. 但是 is a conjunction (starts a clause), while 却 is an adverb (goes after the subject, before the verb).
Can 却 be used without 但是?: Yes, absolutely. 却 can stand alone as a contrastive adverb in a single clause, e.g., '他很有钱，却不快乐' (He is rich, yet unhappy). It does not need 但是 to express contrast, but it cannot start a sentence.
Is 却 formal or informal?: 却 is neutral to slightly literary. It is common in both writing and speech, but in very casual conversation, speakers might prefer 但是 or simply 可是. However, 却 is perfectly fine in spoken Chinese when emphasizing unexpectedness.
Why can't I put 却 at the beginning of a sentence?: 因为却 is an adverb, not a conjunction. Adverbs modify verbs and must follow the subject. If you want to start a sentence with a contrast, use the conjunction 但是 or 可是 instead: e.g., '他却迟到了' is correct; '却他迟到了' is wrong.