но / или
But and or
Но means but: Уморен сум, но ќе дојдам. (I'm tired, but I'll come.) Или means or: Чај или кафе? (Tea or coffee?)
How It Works
Но — but. It links two ideas that pull in different directions: Малку е скапо, но е многу убаво. (It is a bit expensive, but it is very nice.) Before но that starts a new clause, write a comma (see запирка пред а; но; туку). Но can also open a sentence: Но, зошто? (But why?)
Но, а or туку? Macedonian has three words that English often translates as but:
- но — a real contrast: Сакам, но не можам. (I want to, but I can't.)
- а — a light contrast or a switch of topic: Јас сум од Скопје, а ти? (see да; не; и; а)
- туку — after a denial, to give the right option instead: Не е чај, туку кафе. (see не ... туку)
Или — or. It offers a choice between words or whole sentences: Одиме со автобус или пешки? In yes-or-no questions, или не presses for an answer: Доаѓаш или не? (Are you coming or not?) To say either ... or, repeat it: или ... или (see и ... и; или ... или; ниту ... ниту).
Examples (6)
- Сакам да дојдам, но немам време.
I want to come, but I don't have time.
Word by Word: I-want that I-come, but not-I-have time.
- Малку е скапо, но е многу убаво.
It is a bit expensive, but it is very nice.
Word by Word: A-little is expensive, but is very nice.
- Уморен сум, но ќе дојдам.
I'm tired, but I'll come.
Word by Word: Tired I-am, but will I-come.
- Чај или кафе?
Tea or coffee?
Word by Word: Tea or coffee?
- Одиме со автобус или пешки?
Are we going by bus or on foot?
Word by Word: We-go with bus or on-foot?
- Доаѓаш или не?
Are you coming or not?
Word by Word: You-come or not?
Common Mistakes
Using но after a denial where Macedonian needs туку.
Не е студент, но професор.Не е студент, туку професор.When the first part says what is not true and the second gives the right answer, use туку (but rather).
Leaving out the comma before но.
Сакав да дојдам но немав време.Сакав да дојдам, но немав време.Macedonian spelling puts a comma before но when it joins two clauses.
How It Connects
Learn This First
But and or follow the basic joining words.
Related Patterns
- не ... тукуNot This but That
After a denial, туку replaces the wrong idea with the right one, where English also says but.
Level 3 - и ... и / или ... или / ниту ... нитуPaired Conjunctions
Repeating или gives either ... or.
Level 3 - Commas Before Contrast Words
Explains the comma that comes before но.
Level 4 - дали / лиYes or No Questions
Или often closes a yes-or-no question: Доаѓаш или не?
Level 1 - иакоAlthough
Иако (although) expresses a contrast inside one sentence, much like но between two.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice но / или in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Macedonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
