But / However — 但 & 但是

Reading mode:

Overview

Use 但是 (dànshì) to introduce a contrast, exception, or unexpected turn. The first clause sets up an expectation — and 但是 signals that the second clause will contradict or limit it. 但是 is the default choice for "but / however" in Mandarin and works in both speech and writing. Its shortened form 但 (dàn) carries the same meaning but is more common in formal or written Chinese — in everyday conversation, 但是 is the safer, more natural choice.

但是 introduces contrast between two clauses — the second contradicts or limits the first. 但 is the formal, written-register variant of the same word.

Pattern

Structure	Formula
Standard (spoken + written)	[Clause A], 但是 [Clause B]
Formal / written	[Clause A], 但 [Clause B]

Core Examples

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我想去，但是没时间。	Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì méi shíjiān.	I want to go, but I don’t have time.
这本书很有趣，但是有点贵。	Zhè běn shū hěn yǒuqù, dànshì yǒudiǎn guì.	This book is interesting, but a bit expensive.
天气冷，但是很晴朗。	Tiānqì lěng, dànshì hěn qínglǎng.	The weather is cold, but it’s very clear.
她学习很努力，但是考试没通过。	Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, dànshì kǎoshì méi tōngguò.	She studied very hard, but didn’t pass the exam.
他很聪明，但是不努力。	Tā hěn cōngmíng, dànshì bù nǔlì.	He’s very smart, but doesn’t work hard.
他很有才华，但缺少经验。	Tā hěn yǒu cáihuá, dàn quēshǎo jīngyàn.	He is very talented, but lacks experience. (但 — formal)

Boy happily reading an interesting book while noticing the high price tag with a 但是 label between them 这本书很有趣，但是有点贵。— This book is interesting, but a bit pricey.

但 vs. 但是 — Formality

Both words mean the same thing but suit different contexts. 但是 is the full form — neutral register, most common in both speech and writing. 但 is the shortened form — more common in formal writing and essays, and it can sound abrupt in casual speech.

Same meaning, different register: 但是 is neutral and everyday; 但 is shorter and more formal/written — abrupt in casual speech.

Word	Pinyin	Usage
但是	dànshì	Full form. Neutral register. Most common in both speech and writing.
但	dàn	Shortened form. More common in formal writing and essays. Can sound abrupt in casual speech.

	Chinese	Pinyin	English
✅ Correct (formal / written)	他很有才华，但缺少经验。	Tā hěn yǒu cáihuá, dàn quēshǎo jīngyàn.	He is very talented, but lacks experience.
✅ Correct (spoken / neutral)	我想吃火锅，但是最近上火。	Wǒ xiǎng chī huǒguō, dànshì zuìjìn shàng huǒ.	I want to eat hotpot, but I’ve been having too much heat lately.
❌ Avoid (casual speech)	我想吃火锅，但最近上火。	Wǒ xiǎng chī huǒguō, dàn zuìjìn shàng huǒ.	(但 in casual speech sounds abrupt — use 但是 instead)

💡 Practical tip: When in doubt, use 但是. It is always appropriate in both speech and writing.

Don’t Confuse 但是 with 因为

但是 shows contrast — two ideas that oppose each other. 因为 shows cause — one idea explains why the other happened. The two are easy to mix up, so ask which relationship holds before choosing.

但是 = contrast (ideas oppose); 因为 = cause (one explains the other). If the second idea contradicts the first, use 但是.

Conjunction	Function	Key question
但是	Contrast: Clause B contradicts Clause A	”Does B oppose what A leads you to expect?”
因为	Cause: Clause B explains Clause A	”Does B give a reason for A?”

💡 Self-check: Ask — does the second idea explain or contradict the first? If it contradicts, use 但是.

	Chinese	Pinyin	English
✅ Correct	我想吃火锅，但是最近上火。	Wǒ xiǎng chī huǒguō, dànshì zuìjìn shàng huǒ.	I want to eat hotpot, but I’ve been having too much heat.
❌ Wrong	我想吃火锅，因为最近上火。	Wǒ xiǎng chī huǒguō, yīnwèi zuìjìn shàng huǒ.	(Wrong — “too much heat” doesn’t cause wanting hotpot; it contrasts with it)

	Chinese	Pinyin	English
✅ Correct	他很聪明，但是不努力。	Tā hěn cōngmíng, dànshì bù nǔlì.	He’s very smart, but he doesn’t work hard.
❌ Wrong	他很聪明，因为不努力。	Tā hěn cōngmíng, yīnwèi bù nǔlì.	(Wrong — “doesn’t work hard” contrasts with being smart; it doesn’t explain it)

Boy craving hotpot but feeling conflicted — 但是 sits between wanting fire-pot and the 上火 heat warning 我想吃火锅，但是最近上火。— I want hotpot, but I’ve been having too much internal heat lately.

Similar Words — 可是 and 不过

Mandarin has other ways to say "but" with different emotional tones. 可是 (kěshì) is softer and more empathetic — good for softening a refusal. 不过 (búguò) is casual and mild — it downplays a minor contrast. 但是 stays the neutral default.

可是 is softer/empathetic; 不过 is casual and downplays a minor contrast; 但是 stays the neutral default.

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	Tone	Best Used When
但是	dànshì	But / However	Neutral	Default choice — most situations
可是	kěshì	However	Softer, empathetic	Softening a refusal or expressing empathy
不过	búguò	But / Though	Casual, mild	Downplaying a minor contrast or reservation

Chinese	Pinyin	English	Nuance
我很想帮你，可是我没时间。	Wǒ hěn xiǎng bāng nǐ, kěshì wǒ méi shíjiān.	I really want to help you, but I don’t have time.	可是 shows empathy — softer than 但是.
我很想帮你，但是我没时间。	Wǒ hěn xiǎng bāng nǐ, dànshì wǒ méi shíjiān.	I want to help you, but I don’t have time.	Neutral. Slightly more direct than 可是.
这个餐厅不错，不过有点贵。	Zhège cāntīng bùcuò, búguò yǒudiǎn guì.	This restaurant is good, though a bit pricey.	不过 downplays the negative.
这个电影还行，不过有点长。	Zhège diànyǐng hái xíng, búguò yǒudiǎn cháng.	This movie is okay, though a bit long.	不过 keeps the criticism mild.

Two scenes: 可是 showing empathy (I really want to help, but I have no time) and 不过 showing casual downplay (this restaurant is good, though a bit pricey) 可是 adds an empathetic, softer tone. 不过 downplays the contrast, keeping the criticism mild.

Drills

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate word: 但是, 可是, 不过, or 因为.

我想去北京旅行，___ 没有钱。
这本书很有趣，___ 有点贵。
___ 下雨了，比赛取消了。
她学习很努力，___ 考试没通过。
我很想帮你，___ 我太忙了。(softer tone, showing empathy)
这个餐厅不错，___ 有点贵。(mild, casual contrast)
他很有钱，___ 不快乐。
___ 天气太冷，他没有出门。
这道题很难，___ 我做出来了。
我喜欢这个城市，___ 房租太贵了。
这个电影还行，___ 有点长。(mild, casual)
他很聪明，___ 不太努力。

Answer Key:

但是 — contrast (want to go, but no money)

但是 — contrast (interesting but expensive)

因为 — cause (because it rained)

但是 — contrast (studied hard but didn’t pass)

可是 — softer, empathetic refusal

不过 — mild, casual contrast

但是 — contrast (rich but not happy)

因为 — cause (because it was cold)

但是 — contrast (difficult but I solved it)

但是 — contrast (like the city but rent is high)

不过 — mild, casual contrast

但是 — contrast (smart but not hardworking)

Notes

In everyday speech, 但是 is your default. 但 alone can sound formal or literary in casual conversation.
可是 adds an empathetic or regretful tone — it’s often used when declining something or softening a refusal.
不过 is the mildest of the group — use it when the contrast is a minor detail rather than a strong opposition.
Don’t confuse 但是 with the 虽然…但是 concession pair. 但是 alone introduces simple contrast; 虽然…但是 together expresses “although…but” — a concession, not just a contrast.

Sources

HSK Standard Course 2 — 但是 (L12) HSK Standard Course 3 — 可是, 不过 (L5, L8) Mandarin Grammar References — Conjunctions chapter