可是 / 但是 (two words for “but”)
IntroducedWanting and availability can conflict
- You want to go but lack time.
- I我want想go去，but但是don't have没time时间。 — but但是 connects the desire with an obstacle to fulfilling it.
You want to go but lack time. What does 我想去，但是没时间。 communicate?
但是 connects the desire with an obstacle to fulfilling it. 可是 also fits this ordinary contrast. Register preferences do not make one the only correct answer in every but-sentence.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is but可是 / but但是 (two words for “but”). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I我want想go去，but但是don't have没time时间。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I want to go, but have no time: 我想去，____ 没时间。
但是, 可是 and 不过 can all naturally introduce this contrast.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I我want想go去，but但是don't have没time时间。: but但是 connects the desire with an obstacle to fulfilling it.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
可是 and 但是 are…
They overlap in this example. Register and discourse preferences do not justify an exclusive fill answer.
Know the boundary
- but可是 also fits this ordinary contrast.
- Register preferences do not make one the only correct answer in every but-sentence.
可是 / 但是 can pair with 虽然 (虽然…但是…).
Yes: 虽然贵，但是好 (although expensive, it's good).
可是 cannot replace 但是 in this example.
可是 also fits this ordinary contrast. Register preferences do not make one the only correct answer in every but-sentence. 但是 connects the desire with an obstacle to fulfilling it.
Use the distinction
- but但是 connects the desire with an obstacle to fulfilling it.
- but可是 also fits this ordinary contrast. Register preferences do not make one the only correct answer in every but-sentence.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Conjunctions.
You want to go but lack time. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.