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Expressing 'but' informally with 可是 (kěshì)
HSK 2Connecting Ideas
Structure
Clause₁ + 可是 + Clause₂
Explanation
可是 means "but" or "however" and is used to introduce a contrasting or unexpected point. It is slightly less formal than 但是 and more common in everyday spoken Chinese. For example, 我想去，可是没有时间 means "I want to go, but I don't have time."
Examples
这家店很近，可是已经关门了。
zhè jiā diàn hěn jìn, kěshì yǐjīng guānmén le.
This store is very close, but it's already closed.
我很喜欢这件衣服，可是太贵了。
wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhè jiàn yīfu, kěshì tài guì le.
I really like this piece of clothing, but it's too expensive.
他说会来，可是一直没出现。
tā shuō huì lái, kěshì yīzhí méi chūxiàn.
He said he would come, but he never showed up.