但是
but; however
dànshì
What does 但是 mean?
但是 (dànshì) is the standard Chinese conjunction for 'but' or 'however,' used to introduce a contrast or unexpected turn. It almost always sits at the start of the second clause: 我想去，但是没有时间 ('I want to go, but I don't have time'). Two things to know: first, 但是 very often pairs with 虽然 (suīrán, 'although') in the first clause — 虽然...但是... is one of the most common Chinese sentence patterns and using both together is normal, not redundant the way it would be in English. Second, in casual speech native speakers shorten 但是 to 但 (dàn) or use 不过 (bùguò) for a softer, more conversational 'but.' 可是 (kěshì) is a near-equivalent that feels slightly warmer and more spoken.
Character breakdown
but; only
to be; is
Example sentences
我想去，但是没有时间。
Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì méiyǒu shíjiān.
I want to go, but I don't have time.
neutral
他很聪明，但是不努力。
Tā hěn cōngming, dànshì bù nǔlì.
He's smart, but he doesn't work hard.
neutral
虽然下雨，但是我还是要去。
Suīrán xià yǔ, dànshì wǒ háishi yào qù.
Although it's raining, I still want to go.
neutral
这个手机很好，但是太贵了。
Zhège shǒujī hěn hǎo, dànshì tài guì le.
This phone is great, but it's too expensive.
spoken
Common phrases with 但是
Synonyms
Same meaning, slightly more spoken and gentler in tone. 可是 dominates casual conversation; 但是 dominates writing and slightly more deliberate speech. They're freely interchangeable in most contexts.
Softer 'but / however' — closer to English 'though.' Use 不过 to introduce a mild qualification rather than a strong contrast: 这个菜很好吃，不过有点贵 ('this dish is tasty, though a bit expensive').
Formal/written 'however' — common in essays and news. 然而 sounds stiff in everyday speech; stick with 但是 or 可是 in conversation.
Don't confuse 但是 with
但 alone is the shortened literary version of 但是 — common in writing, signs, and set phrases (如有问题，但请联系我们). In speech 但是 is more natural.
因为 means 'because' — introduces a cause, not a contrast. Pairs with 所以 (suǒyǐ, 'so'), not with 但是. Beginners sometimes mix the two paired patterns up.