但係

But

Level 1Sounds Like daan6 hai6

但係 (daan6 hai6) is the standard spoken Cantonese word for 'but' or 'however'. It is placed at the beginning of a contrasting clause to introduce an unexpected fact, qualification, or disagreement.

How It Works

What is 但係?
但係 (daan6 hai6) is the standard, everyday word for 'but' or 'however' in spoken Cantonese.

Sentence Placement:
但係 is usually clause-initial, placed before the subject of the contrasting clause (it can also follow the subject):

  • [Clause 1], 但係 + [Subject] + [Predicate]

Key Nuances & Usage:

  • Pairing with 雖然...但係...: In English, using 'although' and 'but' together in a single sentence is redundant. In Cantonese, however, pairing 雖然 (seoi1 jin4) with 但係 (daan6 hai6) is standard and completely natural.
  • Direct Contrast: 但係 expresses a firm, explicit contrast. For a softer, more subtle contrast, speakers often use 不過 (bat1 gwo3).
  • Conversational Variant: You may also hear 之但係 (zi1 daan6 hai6) in natural speech, which means 'but then again' and adds an emphatic or thoughtful pause.

Formal Written vs. Spoken Cantonese:
In formal written Standard Chinese, 'but' is written as 但是 (daan6 si6) or 可是 (ho2 si6). In daily Cantonese conversation 但係 is the usual choice, and 但是 sounds more formal.

Examples (5)

  1. 我想去，但係我冇時間。

    I want to go, but I don't have time.

    Word by Word: I want go, but I not-have time.

    Standard sentence structure connecting two contrasting clauses with 但係.

  2. 雖然出面落雨，但係佢都要出去。

    Although it is raining outside, he still wants to go out.

    Word by Word: Although outside fall rain, but he still need go out.

    Demonstrates the common paired conjunction pattern 雖然……但係…….

  3. 呢件衫好靚，但係太貴喇。

    This shirt is very pretty, but it's too expensive.

    Word by Word: This CL shirt very pretty, but too expensive SFP.

    Using 但係 to introduce a drawback or negative qualification.

  4. 佢好聰明，但係唔多肯溫書。

    He is very smart, but he isn't very willing to study.

    Word by Word: He very smart, but not much willing review book.

    Shows 但係 contrasting a positive trait with a negative habit.

  5. 我好想食雪糕，但係我病咗。

    I really want to eat ice cream, but I got sick.

    Word by Word: I very want eat icecream, but I sick PERFECTIVE.

    Simple everyday statement introducing an unexpected reason or conflict.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping 但係 after 雖然.

    Different Meaning雖然佢好忙，佢都去咗。
    雖然佢好忙，但係佢都去咗。

    雖然佢好忙，佢都去咗 is also correct, with 都 carrying the contrast. Adding 但係 makes the contrast explicit. English does not allow 'although' and 'but' together, but Cantonese does.

  • Using the more written 但是 (daan6 si6) in casual speech.

    Different Meaning我好想去，但是我要返工。
    我好想去，但係我要返工。

    但是 (daan6 si6) is also used in speech, but it sounds more written. 但係 (daan6 hai6) is the usual everyday form.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

但係Level 1But

Learn This First

To use '但係' (but), you need to understand basic sentence structure and the copula '係', as this conjunction functions by linking two complete thoughts or clauses to show contrast.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

但系