लेकिन

Saying but

Level 1Sounds Like lēkina

लेकिन means but and joins two statements that contrast.

How It Works

लेकिन joins two statements that pull in different directions: मैं थका हुआ हूँ, लेकिन ख़ुश हूँ (I'm tired but happy). It starts the second statement, usually after a comma.

If the subject is the same, you do not need to repeat it: कमरा छोटा है, लेकिन साफ़ है. If the subjects differ, name both: मैं तैयार हूँ, लेकिन रवि तैयार नहीं है.

लेकिन does not change the verbs. Each statement keeps the verb it needs.

Hindi has several words for but:

  • लेकिन: the standard everyday word.
  • पर: very common in speech. At the start of a statement it means but, not on.
  • मगर: means the same and is common in speech and songs.
  • किंतु and परंतु: formal writing.

Examples (5)

  1. कमरा छोटा है, लेकिन साफ़ है।

    The room is small but clean.

    The subject कमरा is not repeated after लेकिन.

  2. मैं तैयार हूँ, लेकिन वह तैयार नहीं है।

    I'm ready, but he isn't.

    Each side has its own subject and verb.

  3. किताब अच्छी है, लेकिन महँगी है।

    The book is good but expensive.

    लेकिन links a good point and a bad point.

  4. मुझे चाय पसंद है, पर कॉफ़ी नहीं।

    I like tea, but not coffee.

    पर means but here because it starts the second part.

  5. खाना अच्छा था, मगर बहुत तीखा था।

    The food was good, but very spicy.

    मगर works just like लेकिन.

How It Connects

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लेकिनLevel 1Saying but

Learn This First

लेकिन joins clauses like और but adds contrast.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

लेकिनपरमगर