maar

But

Level 1

Use maar to join two sentences or words that contrast with each other. It does not change the word order of the sentence.

How It Works

The word maar is the most common way to express contrast in Dutch. It can be used in several ways:

  • Connecting Clauses: When joining two full sentences, maar usually follows a comma. The word order remains exactly the same as a normal main clause (Subject + Verb).
  • Corrective Contrast (niet... maar): Dutch uses maar to mean 'but rather' when correcting a previous statement. For example: Dit is geen appel, maar een peer (This is not an apple, but a pear).
  • Connecting Words: It can link two adjectives or nouns directly, such as klein maar fijn (small but nice).
  • Starting a Sentence: It is perfectly acceptable in modern Dutch to start a new sentence with Maar to emphasize a contrast. Unlike the synonym echter, maar never causes the verb and subject to swap places.

Note that maar also has other functions as a particle (meaning 'only' or 'just'), but its primary role for beginners is as the conjunction 'but'.

Examples (4)

  1. Ik wil graag komen, maar ik heb geen tijd.

    I would like to come, but I don't have time.

    Word by Word: I want gladly come, but I have no time.

    Notice that 'ik heb' (subject + verb) maintains the standard main clause order after 'maar'.

  2. Het is een oude auto, maar hij rijdt nog prima.

    It is an old car, but it still drives fine.

    Word by Word: It is an old car, but he drives still fine.

    A comma is typically used before 'maar' when connecting two complete thoughts.

  3. Hij is niet rijk, maar wel gelukkig.

    He is not rich, but [he is] happy.

    Word by Word: He is not rich, but indeed happy.

    Here, 'maar' connects two descriptions. The word 'wel' is often used after 'maar' to emphasize the positive contrast.

  4. De soep is heet maar lekker.

    The soup is hot but tasty.

    Word by Word: The soup is hot but tasty.

    When connecting just two adjectives, a comma is usually not necessary.

Common Mistakes

  • Using subordinate word order (putting the verb at the end) after 'maar'.

    Ik ben moe, maar ik naar huis ga.
    Ik ben moe, maar ik ga naar huis.

    Learners often confuse 'maar' with words like omdat. However, 'maar' is a coordinator and does not push the verb to the end.

  • Confusing 'maar' with 'echter' regarding word order.

    Echter ik ben moe.
    Echter ben ik moe. / Maar ik ben moe.

    While 'maar' and echter both mean 'but', 'maar' is a conjunction that keeps normal word order. 'Echter' is an adverb that triggers inversion (Verb + Subject) when placed at the start of a sentence.

  • Using 'maar' (only, a little apologetic) instead of the neutral 'alleen'.

    Different MeaningIk spreek maar Nederlands.
    Ik spreek alleen Nederlands.

    'Ik spreek maar Nederlands' is correct and means 'I only speak Dutch', often with a note of regret ('just Dutch'). 'Alleen' says it neutrally. As a particle, 'maar' means 'no more than'.

How It Connects

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maarLevel 1But

Learn This First

To understand 'maar', a learner needs to be familiar with basic sentence structure and how simple conjunctions connect words or clauses without changing the word order.

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