bet
Contrast with Bet
Bet means but: Noriu eiti, bet neturiu laiko. (I want to go, but I have no time.) Put a comma between the parts it joins.
How It Works
Joining two sentences
Bet joins two sentences when the second one limits the first or goes against what you would expect from it:
- Noriu eiti, bet neturiu laiko. (I want to go, but I have no time.)
- Skambinau, bet niekas neatsiliepė. (I called, but nobody answered.)
Joining two words
It also joins two words that describe the same thing: Butas mažas, bet jaukus. (The flat is small but cozy.) Brangu, bet skanu. (Expensive, but tasty.)
The comma
A comma always comes before bet, whether it joins two sentences or two words. English sometimes drops this comma, but Lithuanian does not. The same rule applies to o and tačiau.
Bet or o?
Both can mean but. Bet is the usual choice when something goes against an expectation. O mostly sets two different people or things side by side: Aš dirbu, o jis ilsisi. (I am working, while he is resting.) After a negation that you correct, Lithuanian prefers o: ne kava, o arbata (not coffee but tea). See Not This but That.
Bet in other phrases
Later you will meet bet in not only ... but also and in bet kas (anyone at all), where it has a different meaning.
Examples (6)
- Noriu eiti, bet neturiu laiko.
I want to go, but I have no time.
Word by Word: I-want to-go, but not-I-have of-time.
The second part blocks the first. Note the comma before bet.
- Butas mažas, bet jaukus.
The flat is small but cozy.
Word by Word: Flat small, but cozy.
bet joins two adjectives, and it still takes a comma.
- Skambinau, bet niekas neatsiliepė.
I called, but nobody answered.
Word by Word: I-called, but nobody not-answered.
The result goes against what you would expect.
- Jis lietuvis, bet gyvena Airijoje.
He is Lithuanian, but he lives in Ireland.
Word by Word: He Lithuanian, but lives in-Ireland.
bet adds a surprising fact.
- Atsiprašau, bet nesuprantu.
Sorry, but I don't understand.
Word by Word: Sorry, but not-I-understand.
A polite everyday use of bet.
- Brangu, bet skanu.
It's expensive, but tasty.
Word by Word: Expensive, but tasty.
Two neuter state words joined by bet.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma before bet.
Noriu eiti bet neturiu laiko.Noriu eiti, bet neturiu laiko.A comma always comes before bet when it joins two sentences.
Leaving out the comma between two joined words.
Butas mažas bet jaukus.Butas mažas, bet jaukus.The comma is needed even when bet joins just two words.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- oContrast with O
O also contrasts, but mostly sets two things side by side.
Level 2 - irJoining with Ir
Ir simply adds, without any contrast.
Level 1 - tačiauHowever with Tačiau
A more formal word for however.
Level 3 - ne ..., o ...Not This but That
After a correcting negation, Lithuanian prefers o.
Level 3 - ne tik ..., bet ir ...Not Only ... but Also ...
Bet also appears in not only ... but also.
Level 4 - bet kas / bet koksAnyone at All with Bet
Bet kas means anyone at all, a different use of bet.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice bet in Bubblegum
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