可是
kěshì
but
Part of speech · conjunction
Pattern visualization
no decomposition available
Examples
- 我想去，可是没时间。I want to go, but no time.
- 可是这次不行。But this time it's not okay.
Collocations
可是…但是 / 可是可是…啊
Mnemonic
可是 kěshì "but, however" — most colloquial of synonyms 但是 dànshì / 不过 búguò. Softer tone, used freely in spoken Mandarin.
Quick check
Most colloquial "but"?