“However” and “but” in most cases can be directly translated into the following Chinese words.

however = 然而 rán’ér

but = 但是 dàn shì

Replacing “however” and “but” with the above words in your sentence should serve its purpose. Let’s move along then you’ll see how to structure this kind of sentences.

Please go through your new vocabulary drill first. 🙂

rán’ér	dàn shì	kě shì
[hanzi]然而[/hanzi]	[hanzi]但是[/hanzi]	[hanzi]可是[/hanzi]
however	but	but
bù guò	xǐ huan	jiàn
[hanzi]不过[/hanzi]	[hanzi]喜欢[/hanzi]	[hanzi]件[/hanzi]
but	like	quantifier
qún zi	mǎi	zhī chí
[hanzi]裙子[/hanzi]	[hanzi]买[/hanzi]	[hanzi]支持[/hanzi]
skirt	buy	zhi chi
dú lì
[hanzi]独立[/hanzi]
independence

 

Done? Good, let’s learn them from examples:

I like this skirt, but I can’t buy it.

wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn qúnzi, dànshì wǒ bùnéng mǎi tā.

我喜欢这件裙子, 但是我不能买它.

 

They will support us. However, we should learn to be independent.

tāmen zhīchí wǒmen. rán’ér, wǒmen yīnggāi xuéhuì dúlì.

他们支持我们. 然而, 我们应该学会独立.

 

You’ll never need to reassemble the word order in the sentence due to adding “but” or “however” to your sentence. Just directly add 然而 rán’ér, or 但是 dàn shì to the beginning of the main sentence or the sub sentence. You can add a comma right after 然而 rán’ér or 但是 dàn shì to give a graceful break to your sentence. Or add them without comma.

Other than 然而 rán’ér or 但是 dàn shì, 可是 kě shì and 不过 can be used as the same meaning and in the same way. In fact, all four words are very similiar:

然而 rán’ér, 但是 dàn shì, 可是 kě shì, 不过 dàn shì

The only difference is “然而 rán’ér” is mostly used in writing, not speaking. The other three can be used both in writing and speaking.

Are you clear now? I don’t think it’ll be too difficult to come up some sentences to practice in this regards. So go ahead practice in your own way until the four words (at least two, OK?) can come to your lips easily whenever you need them.

Welcome to have my face to face lesson on http://www.verbling.com/teachers/dawei  !  🙂