لكن

But

Level 1

لكن (but) contrasts two ideas. It has two forms: the light lākin (لكنْ), a conjunction for clauses or negative corrections, and the heavy lakinna (لكنَّ), which precedes a noun or pronoun in the accusative case. Note that the long 'a' sound is pronounced but never written as an alif.

How It Works

The word 'but' in Arabic appears in two forms depending on what follows it. Both forms usually follow a previous clause and are often preceded by 'and' (و).

Spelling Note: In both forms, there is a long 'a' sound after the first letter (ل) that is pronounced but not written. Beginners often mistakenly write it as لاكن, but the correct spelling is لكن.

1. The Heavy Form: لكنَّ (lakinna)
This form belongs to a group called إنّ and Its Sisters.

  • In its standard form, it is followed by a noun or an attached pronoun (like 'but he...' or 'but the teacher...').
  • It changes the noun after it to the Object Ending (usually the -a sound).

2. The Light Form: لكنْ (lākin)
This is a simpler version used as a connector.

  • It can be followed by a verb or a full sentence. It does not change the endings of the words after it.
  • The Negation Rule: When using this form to connect two single words (like 'not a doctor but a teacher'), the first part of your sentence must contain a negation like ليس or لا.
  • The 'Wa' Rule: When connecting two full clauses after a positive statement, you must use the prefix 'wa' (ولكن). In Modern Standard Arabic, the light form without 'wa' is traditionally restricted to following a negation or prohibition.

Summary: Use the heavy form (لكنَّ) when immediately followed by a noun or pronoun. Use the light form (لكنْ) to connect full sentences (usually as ولكن) or to correct a negative statement with a single word.

Examples (4)

  1. البيتُ قديمٌ لكنَّهُ واسعٌ.

    The house is old, but it is spacious.

    Word by Word: The house [is] old but-it [is] spacious.

    Here, the heavy form 'lakinna' is used because it is attached to the pronoun '-hu' (it).

  2. أرادَ السفرَ ولكنْ مَنَعَهُ المرضُ.

    He wanted to travel, but illness prevented him.

    Word by Word: He wanted the travel and-but prevented-him the illness.

    The light form 'lākin' is used here because it is followed by a verb (mana'a - prevented).

  3. الامتحانُ صعبٌ لكنَّ الطلابَ نجحوا.

    The exam was difficult, but the students passed.

    Word by Word: The exam [was] difficult but the students passed.

    Note that 'aṭ-ṭullāba' (the students) is in the accusative case because of 'lakinna'.

  4. السيارةُ جميلةٌ ولكنْ ثمنُها مرتفعٌ.

    The car is beautiful, but its price is high.

    Word by Word: The car [is] beautiful and-but price-its [is] high.

    Using the light form 'lākin' here means the following noun 'thamanu' stays in the nominative case.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the heavy form 'lakinna' directly before a verb.

    أريدُ الخروجَ لكنَّ تمطرُ السماءُ.
    أريدُ الخروجَ ولكنْ تمطرُ السماءُ.

    The heavy form 'lakinna' must be followed by a noun or pronoun. If a verb follows, use the light form 'lākin'.

  • Omitting the attached pronoun after 'lakinna'.

    السيارةُ قديمةٌ لكنَّ سريعةٌ.
    السيارةُ قديمةٌ لكنَّها سريعةٌ.

    In Arabic, 'lakinna' needs a subject to 'hold onto.' You must attach the pronoun '-hā' (it/she) to refer back to the car.

How It Connects

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لكنLevel 1But

Learn This First

To use 'لكن' (but) effectively, a learner needs to understand how to form basic sentences (nominal sentences) and how to attach pronouns to particles, as 'لكن' often appears with attached pronouns to refer back to the subject of the first clause.

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لكنلكن