но
Contrast with Но
но = but. Искам, но не мога. (I want to, but I cannot.) The second part pushes against the first.
How It Works
A real contrast. Но tells the listener that the second part goes against the first, or is not what they might expect.
- Искам, но не мога. (I want to, but I cannot.)
- Малък е, но е хубав. (It is small, but it is nice.)
- Вали, но е топло. (It is raining, but it is warm.)
Но or а? Bulgarian has two everyday words for but. Use а when you just set two different facts side by side: Аз съм от София, а той е от Варна. (I am from Sofia, and he is from Varna.) Use но when there is a clash: Той е от Варна, но не обича морето. (He is from Varna, but he does not like the sea.)
Not this, but that. When you deny one thing and name the right one, use а: Не е чай, а кафе. (It is not tea but coffee.) Но does not work here. See не..., а.
Always a comma. Put a comma before но, even in a short sentence: Скъпо е, но е вкусно. (It is expensive, but it is tasty.)
Similar words. In casual speech you will also hear ама, which means the same thing. Обаче (however) is close in meaning and a little more formal.
Examples (6)
- Искам, но не мога.
I want to, but I cannot.
Word by Word: (I)-want, but not (I)-can.
The second part blocks the first.
- Малък е, но е хубав.
It is small, but it is nice.
Word by Word: Small is, but is nice.
Being small might sound bad; но brings in the good side.
- Вали, но е топло.
It is raining, but it is warm.
Word by Word: Rains, but is warm.
- Той е от Варна, но не обича морето.
He is from Varna, but he does not like the sea.
Word by Word: He is from Varna, but not loves sea-the.
Varna is on the sea, so this is unexpected.
- Говоря малко български, но разбирам много.
I speak a little Bulgarian, but I understand a lot.
Word by Word: (I)-speak little Bulgarian, but (I)-understand much.
- Скъпо е, но е много вкусно.
It is expensive, but it is very tasty.
Word by Word: Expensive is, but is very tasty.
Common Mistakes
Using но to correct a negative.
Не е чай, но кафе.Не е чай, а кафе.When you say what something is not and then what it is, the second part starts with а.
Leaving out the comma before но.
Искам но не мога.Искам, но не мога.Bulgarian spelling rules always put a comma before но.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Но is learned alongside а, which marks a milder contrast.
Related Patterns
- не..., аNot ... but Rather
To correct a negative, Bulgarian uses а, not но.
Level 3 - обачеHowever with Обаче
Обаче (however) is close to но and a little more formal.
Level 3 - не само..., но иNot Only ... but Also
Но also appears in the pair не само..., но и (not only ... but also).
Level 3 - въпреки че/макар чеAlthough
Although: another way to express a contrast.
Level 3 - иAnd, Also and Too with И
И simply adds; но adds with a contrast.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice но in Bubblegum
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