ama / fakat

But

Level 2

Turkish uses ama and fakat to express contrast. Ama is the most common, everyday word, while fakat is slightly more formal and 'bookish'.

How It Works

In Turkish, ama and fakat are the primary tools for showing a 'denial of expectation.'

1. Usage and Position:
They are placed between the two things being contrasted. In short sentences like this one, writers often leave out the comma before or after them.

  • Çok çalıştım ama başaramadım. (I worked hard but I didn't succeed.)

2. Ama vs. Fakat:

  • Ama: The universal 'but.' It is used in every context, from casual texting to formal speeches. It can also appear at the end of a sentence to mean 'though' (e.g., Zor ama. - It's hard, though).
  • Fakat: More formal and emphatic. It is common in literature and news but can sound stiff in casual conversation. It is almost never used at the end of a sentence.

3. Special Uses of 'Ama':
Ama can start a sentence to show surprise or protest: Ama bu haksızlık! (But this is unfair!). It is also used for emphasis in phrases like Güzel ama çok güzel! (Beautiful, but [really] very beautiful!).

Examples (5)

  1. Yorgunum ama mutluyum.

    I am tired but I am happy.

    Word by Word: Tired-I-am but happy-I-am.

    A classic use of 'ama' to connect two adjectives describing a state.

  2. Dışarı çıkmak istiyorum fakat hava çok soğuk.

    I want to go out, however the weather is very cold.

    Word by Word: Outside to-go I-want however weather very cold.

    Using 'fakat' adds a slightly more formal or serious tone to the contrast.

  3. Seni anlıyorum ama sana katılmıyorum.

    I understand you, but I don't agree with you.

    Word by Word: You I-understand but to-you I-don't-join.

    Here, 'ama' connects two full verbal clauses.

  4. Ama neden gelmedin?

    But why didn't you come?

    Word by Word: But why you-didn't-come?

    Shows 'ama' at the beginning of a sentence to express a question or protest.

  5. Bu araba çok eski ama hızlı.

    This car is very old but fast.

    Word by Word: This car very old but fast.

    A simple contrast between two characteristics of an object.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a comma before 'ama' or 'fakat'.

    Gittim, ama onu görmedim.
    Gittim ama onu görmedim.

    In English, we often put a comma before 'but.' In Turkish, the TDK spelling guide has no rule requiring or banning a comma before 'ama'; in short sentences like this one it is usually left out.

  • Using 'fakat' at the end of a sentence.

    Geleceğim fakat.
    Geleceğim ama.

    Only 'ama' can be used at the end of a sentence to mean 'though.' 'Fakat' normally sits between two ideas and is almost never used at the end.

How It Connects

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ama / fakatLevel 2But

Learn This First

To use 'ama' and 'fakat' (but), you need to be able to form basic sentences or descriptions that you wish to contrast. Since these conjunctions often link adjectives or states of being, understanding how to form sentences without a verb (nominal sentences) and how basic conjunctions work is essential.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

fakat