Usage: Common in both spoken and written language, slightly softer.
Example: 我喜欢这本书，可是太贵了。 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhè běn shū, kěshì tài guì le.) — I like this book, but it’s too expensive.
2. 但是 (dànshì) — “but,” “however”
Usage: Very common, slightly more formal than 可是.
Example: 我想去，但是我没有时间。 (Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān.) — I want to go, but I don’t have time.
3. 不过 (búguò) — “but,” “however,” “only”
Usage: Softer way to introduce contrast, casual and common in conversation.
Example: 他很好，不过有点儿害羞。 (Tā hěn hǎo, búguò yǒudiǎnr hàixiū.) — He is nice, but a bit shy.
4. 然而 (rán’ér) — “however,” “yet,” “nevertheless”
Usage: Formal, often used in written Chinese, like essays and reports.
Example: 天气预报说今天会下雨，然而太阳出来了。 (Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān huì xiàyǔ, rán’ér tàiyáng chūlái le.) — The weather forecast said it would rain, however, the sun came out.
5. 却 (què) — “but,” “yet,” “however”
Usage: Used to emphasize contrast, often placed before the verb.
Example: 他看起来很强壮，却很温柔。 (Tā kàn qǐlái hěn qiángzhuàng, què hěn wēnróu.) — He looks strong, but (actually) very gentle.
6. 只是 (zhǐshì) — “only,” “just that,” “but”
Usage: Softens the contrast, often used when the second part reduces or limits the first statement.
Example: 我很喜欢，只是太贵了。 (Wǒ hěn xǐhuān, zhǐshì tài guì le.) — I like it a lot, but it’s too expensive.
