لیکن
Adding a Contrast
Read the first idea, then look for the contrast after لیکن.
How It Works
In کمرہ چھوٹا ہے لیکن روشن ہے, both descriptions concern the room. لیکن contrasts size with brightness.
The two ideas can have different subjects: میں گھر میں ہوں لیکن سارا باہر ہے. The first part describes the speaker; the second describes Sara.
In وہ تھکی ہے لیکن خوش ہے, تھکی is feminine. The word خوش stays the same for a man or a woman.
لیکن links the ideas. It does not replace نہیں when a clause needs to be negative.
Examples (4)
- کمرہ چھوٹا ہے لیکن روشن ہے۔
The room is small but bright.
لیکن links two descriptions.
- میں گھر میں ہوں لیکن سارا باہر ہے۔
I am at home, but Sara is outside.
Each clause has its own subject and form of “to be.”
- راستہ لمبا ہے لیکن آسان ہے۔
The route is long but easy.
The contrast concerns two qualities of one noun.
- وہ تھکی ہے لیکن خوش ہے۔
She is tired but happy.
تھکی is feminine; خوش stays the same for a man or a woman.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize ordinary coordination before using a connector that contrasts the joined points.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.