किन्तु / परन्तु

Formal Words for but

Level 6Sounds Like kintu ra parantu

किन्तु and परन्तु are formal words for but: the first clause gives a fact, and the second clause goes against it.

How It Works

Nepali has one everyday word for but, तर, and two formal ones, किन्तु and परन्तु. The formal words are Sanskrit-based.

RegisterWord
Speechतर
Formal writingकिन्तु, परन्तु

They come after the first clause and a comma: योजना राम्रो छ, किन्तु पैसा पुग्दैन. The clause after them says what goes against the first idea.

Both words mean the same, and writers use either. Here is a polite correction: स्वागत छ, परन्तु कृपया नियम मान्नुहोस्.

You may hear the Hindi word लेकिन in speech, but this course teaches तर. In formal writing use तर, किन्तु or परन्तु.

Examples (5)

  1. आयोजकले सबैलाई सूचना पठाए, परन्तु कसैले जवाफ दिएन।

    The organizers sent everyone a notice, but nobody replied.

    परन्तु starts the second clause.

  2. यो योजना राम्रो छ, किन्तु पैसा पुग्दैन।

    This plan is good, but the money is not enough.

    किन्तु is a plain formal but.

  3. उनले धेरै प्रयास गरे, किन्तु सफल हुन सकेनन्।

    He tried hard, but he could not succeed.

    The second clause gives the surprising result.

  4. बैठक आज हुनुपर्ने थियो, परन्तु अध्यक्ष आउन सक्नुभएन।

    The meeting should have been held today, but the chair could not come.

    The polite सक्नुभएन fits the respected chair.

  5. स्वागत छ, परन्तु कृपया नियम मान्नुहोस्।

    Welcome, but please follow the rules.

    परन्तु follows a polite welcome.

Common Mistakes

  • Learners use the Hindi word लेकिन in formal writing.

    आयोजकले सूचना पठाए, लेकिन कसैले जवाफ दिएन।
    आयोजकले सूचना पठाए, तर कसैले जवाफ दिएन।

    You may hear लेकिन in speech, but formal writing uses तर, परन्तु or किन्तु.

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किन्तु / परन्तुLevel 6Formal Words for but

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किन्तु and परन्तु are formal words for but.