lekin / ammo
But
Lekin and ammo both mean but: Qimmat, lekin yaxshi (It's expensive, but good). Biroq means however and sounds more written.
How It Works
Lekin and ammo join two ideas that pull in different directions, just like English but. They stand at the start of the second idea, and a comma usually comes before them:
- Qimmat, lekin yaxshi. (It's expensive, but good.)
- Bordim, ammo u yoʻq edi. (I went, but he wasn't there.)
Which one? Lekin is the everyday choice in speech. Ammo means the same and is common in speech and writing. Biroq means however. It is more typical of writing and often begins a new sentence: Havo sovuq edi. Biroq biz sayrga chiqdik. (It was cold. However, we went out for a walk.)
Not this but that. When you correct something (not X but Y), Uzbek does not use lekin. Use emas, balki, or simply emas and a comma: Bu choy emas, qahva (This isn't tea, it's coffee).
For a softer contrast between two people or things, such as I like tea, whereas she likes coffee, see esa.
Examples (5)
- Qimmat, lekin yaxshi.
It's expensive, but good.
Word by Word: Expensive, but good.
- Bordim, ammo u yoʻq edi.
I went, but he wasn't there.
Word by Word: Went-I, but he absent was.
- Oʻzbek tili qiyin, lekin qiziq.
Uzbek is hard, but interesting.
Word by Word: Uzbek language hard, but interesting.
- Charchadim, ammo ishni tugatdim.
I got tired, but I finished the work.
Word by Word: Got-tired-I, but work-the finished-I.
- Havo sovuq edi. Biroq biz sayrga chiqdik.
It was cold. However, we went out for a walk.
Word by Word: Weather cold was. However we walk-to went-out-we.
Biroq often begins a new sentence.
Common Mistakes
Using lekin for not this but that.
Bu choy emas, lekin qahva.Bu choy emas, balki qahva.When you correct something, use emas, balki, or just Bu choy emas, qahva. Lekin is for a contrast, not a correction.
Using va when you mean but.
Qimmat va yaxshi. (meaning: expensive, but good)Qimmat, lekin yaxshi.Va means and, so it only lists the two facts. To show the contrast, use lekin or ammo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on And.
Related Patterns
- chunkiBecause
Another common linking word, giving a reason instead of a contrast.
Level 2 - shuning uchunSo, Therefore
Links a result: so, therefore.
Level 2 - esaAs for, Whereas: Esa
A softer contrast between two people or things.
Level 3 - emas, balkiNot This, But That
Used for not this, but that.
Level 4 - yokiOr
Another basic linking word: or.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice lekin / ammo in Bubblegum
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