Learning how to say but in different languages strengthens language skills and supports confident multilingual communication. This common word is an important conjunction that helps connect ideas, express contrast, and explain exception clearly.
Understanding its translation, translations, word meaning, grammar, conjunction usage, and pronunciation improves both writing and speaking naturally. This language guide helps students, travelers, business professionals, and language enthusiasts communicate across cultures with greater confidence.
You will discover language translation, phrase translation, translations list, example sentences, pronunciation guide, audio pronunciation, spelling, and practical usage for worldwide languages. Explore widely spoken languages, lesser-known languages, and useful regional variations that support better cultural understanding and global communication.
Whether you learn languages, improve vocabulary, practice learn pronunciation, or compare language differences, this guide makes everyday communication easier. Discover unique ways to translate but while building stronger multilingual vocabulary for meaningful conversations around the world.
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Interesting Facts About But
- The word “but” is a conjunction used to show contrast between two ideas.
- Almost every language has a dedicated word or phrase that serves the same purpose as “but.”
- Some languages have multiple versions of “but” depending on formality and context.
- Romance languages often derive their equivalent of “but” from Latin roots.
- Many Asian languages use words that can mean both “but” and “however.”
- The word is among the most frequently used conjunctions in everyday conversation.
- Learning conjunctions like “but” helps speakers create more natural and fluent sentences.
- Understanding contrast words improves both speaking and writing skills.
- Translating simple words like “but” is often one of the first steps in language learning.
- The usage of “but” can reveal interesting grammatical differences between languages.
How to Say But in Different Languages
European Languages
Europe is home to hundreds of languages belonging to several language families, including Romance, Germanic, Slavic, Celtic, and Baltic languages. Although these languages have different origins, they all use conjunctions similar to “but” to express contrast and exceptions. Learning these words can greatly improve communication when traveling or studying European cultures.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
| 🇺🇸 American English | USA | But | buht | I wanted to go, but it rained. |
| 🇬🇧 British English | United Kingdom | But | buht | I tried, but I failed. |
| 🇦🇺 Australian English | Australia | But | buht | It’s sunny, but windy today. |
| French | 🇫🇷 France | Mais | meh | Je voulais venir, mais il pleuvait. |
| Spanish | 🇪🇸 Spain | Pero | peh-ro | Quería ir, pero llovía. |
| Portuguese | 🇵🇹 Portugal | Mas | mahs | Eu queria ir, mas chovia. |
| Italian | 🇮🇹 Italy | Ma | mah | Volevo andare, ma pioveva. |
| German | 🇩🇪 Germany | Aber | ah-ber | Ich wollte gehen, aber es regnete. |
| Dutch | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Maar | mahr | Ik wilde gaan, maar het regende. |
| Swedish | 🇸🇪 Sweden | Men | men | Jag ville gå, men det regnade. |
| Norwegian | 🇳🇴 Norway | Men | men | Jeg ville gå, men det regnet. |
| Danish | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Men | men | Jeg ville gå, men det regnede. |
| Finnish | 🇫🇮 Finland | Mutta | moot-ta | Halusin mennä, mutta satoi. |
| Icelandic | 🇮🇸 Iceland | En | en | Ég vildi fara, en það rigndi. |
| Polish | 🇵🇱 Poland | Ale | ah-leh | Chciałem iść, ale padało. |
| Czech | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Ale | ah-leh | Chtěl jsem jít, ale pršelo. |
| Slovak | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Ale | ah-leh | Chcel som ísť, ale pršalo. |
| Hungarian | 🇭🇺 Hungary | De | deh | Menni akartam, de esett. |
| Romanian | 🇷🇴 Romania | Dar | dar | Am vrut să merg, dar ploua. |
| Greek | 🇬🇷 Greece | Αλλά | ah-LA | Ήθελα να πάω, αλλά έβρεχε. |
| Russian | 🇷🇺 Russia | Но | no | Я хотел пойти, но шел дождь. |
| Ukrainian | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Але | ah-leh | Я хотів піти, але йшов дощ. |
| Belarusian | 🇧🇾 Belarus | Але | ah-leh | Я хацеў пайсці, але ішоў дождж. |
| Croatian | 🇭🇷 Croatia | Ali | ah-lee | Htio sam ići, ali je padala kiša. |
| Serbian | 🇷🇸 Serbia | Али | ah-lee | Хтео сам да идем, али је падала киша. |
| Bosnian | 🇧🇦 Bosnia | Ali | ah-lee | Htio sam ići, ali je padala kiša. |
| Slovenian | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Ampak | am-pak | Hotel sem iti, ampak je deževalo. |
| Latvian | 🇱🇻 Latvia | Bet | bet | Es gribēju iet, bet lija. |
| Lithuanian | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Bet | bet | Norėjau eiti, bet lijo. |
| Irish | 🇮🇪 Ireland | Ach | akh | Theastaigh uaim dul, ach bhí báisteach ann. |
| Welsh | 🏴 Wales | Ond | ond | Roeddwn i eisiau mynd, ond roedd hi’n bwrw glaw. |
Asian Languages
Asia is the world’s largest continent and contains thousands of languages spoken by billions of people. Asian languages belong to many language families, including Sino-Tibetan, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Turkic, Japonic, and Koreanic groups. While the grammar and writing systems differ greatly, every language has a way to express contrast through words equivalent to “but.”
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 🇨🇳 China | 但是 | dan-shi | 我想去，但是下雨了。 |
| Cantonese | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | 但係 | daan-hai | 我想去，但係落雨。 |
| Japanese | 🇯🇵 Japan | でも | de-mo | 行きたかった、でも雨でした。 |
| Korean | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 하지만 | ha-ji-man | 가고 싶었지만 비가 왔어요. |
| Hindi | 🇮🇳 India | लेकिन | le-kin | मैं जाना चाहता था लेकिन बारिश हो रही थी। |
| Urdu | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | لیکن | le-kin | میں جانا چاہتا تھا لیکن بارش ہو رہی تھی۔ |
| Bengali | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | কিন্তু | kin-tu | আমি যেতে চেয়েছিলাম কিন্তু বৃষ্টি হচ্ছিল। |
| Punjabi | 🇮🇳 India | ਪਰ | par | ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਮੀਂਹ ਪੈ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ। |
| Gujarati | 🇮🇳 India | પરંતુ | pa-ran-tu | હું જવા માંગતો હતો પરંતુ વરસાદ હતો. |
| Marathi | 🇮🇳 India | पण | paṇ | मला जायचे होते पण पाऊस पडत होता. |
| Tamil | 🇮🇳 India | ஆனால் | aa-naal | நான் செல்ல விரும்பினேன் ஆனால் மழை பெய்தது. |
| Telugu | 🇮🇳 India | కానీ | kaa-ni | నేను వెళ్లాలనుకున్నాను కానీ వర్షం పడింది. |
| Kannada | 🇮🇳 India | ಆದರೆ | aa-da-re | ನಾನು ಹೋಗಲು ಬಯಸಿದೆ ಆದರೆ ಮಳೆ ಬಂತು. |
| Malayalam | 🇮🇳 India | പക്ഷേ | pak-she | പോകണം എന്ന് വിചാരിച്ചു പക്ഷേ മഴ പെയ്തു. |
| Sinhala | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | නමුත් | na-mut | මට යන්න ඕනෑ නමුත් වැස්ස වැටුණා. |
| Nepali | 🇳🇵 Nepal | तर | ta-ra | म जान चाहन्थेँ तर पानी पर्यो। |
| Thai | 🇹🇭 Thailand | แต่ | tae | ฉันอยากไป แต่ฝนตก |
| Vietnamese | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Nhưng | nyung | Tôi muốn đi nhưng trời mưa. |
| Indonesian | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Tetapi | te-ta-pi | Saya ingin pergi tetapi hujan. |
| Malay | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Tetapi | te-ta-pi | Saya mahu pergi tetapi hujan. |
| Filipino | 🇵🇭 Philippines | Ngunit | ngu-nit | Gusto kong pumunta ngunit umulan. |
| Mongolian | 🇲🇳 Mongolia | Гэхдээ | geh-dee | Би явахыг хүссэн ч бороо орсон. |
| Kazakh | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Бірақ | ba-ryk | Мен барғым келді, бірақ жаңбыр жауды. |
| Uzbek | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Lekin | le-kin | Men bormoqchi edim, lekin yomg’ir yog’di. |
African Languages
Africa is one of the most linguistically diverse continents in the world, with more than 2,000 languages spoken across its countries. African languages belong to several major language families, including Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and Khoisan. Learning common words such as “but” offers valuable insight into the continent’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
| Swahili | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Lakini | la-ki-ni | Nilitaka kwenda lakini mvua ilinyesha. |
| Zulu | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Kodwa | ko-dwa | Bengifuna ukuhamba kodwa lina. |
| Xhosa | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Kodwa | ko-dwa | Bendifuna ukuhamba kodwa lina. |
| Afrikaans | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Maar | mahr | Ek wou gaan, maar dit het gereën. |
| Yoruba | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Ṣugbọn | sha-bo-run | Mo fẹ lọ ṣugbọn ojo n rọ. |
| Igbo | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Ma | ma | Achọrọ m ịga ma mmiri na-ezo. |
| Hausa | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Amma | am-ma | Ina son zuwa amma ana ruwa. |
| Amharic | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | ግን | gin | መሄድ ፈልጌ ነበር ግን ዝናብ ነበር። |
| Somali | 🇸🇴 Somalia | Laakiin | la-kin | Waxaan rabay inaan tago laakiin roob baa da’ay. |
| Shona | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | Asi | ah-si | Ndaida kuenda asi kwainaya. |
| Kinyarwanda | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | Ariko | a-ri-ko | Nashakaga kugenda ariko imvura yagwaga. |
| Sesotho | 🇱🇸 Lesotho | Empa | em-pa | Ke ne ke batla ho ea empa pula e ne e na. |
Middle Eastern Languages
The Middle East is known for its ancient civilizations, rich traditions, and influential languages. Many languages spoken in this region belong to the Semitic language family, while others come from Turkic and Indo-Iranian origins. Words that express contrast, such as “but,” play an important role in daily communication and formal writing throughout the region.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
| Arabic | 🌍 Middle East | لكن | la-kin | أردت الذهاب لكن المطر كان يهطل. |
| Persian (Farsi) | 🇮🇷 Iran | اما | am-ma | میخواستم بروم اما باران میبارید. |
| Turkish | 🇹🇷 Turkey | Ama | a-ma | Gitmek istedim ama yağmur yağıyordu. |
| Kurdish | 🌍 Kurdistan Region | Lê | leh | Ez dixwazim biçim lê baran dibarî. |
| Hebrew | 🇮🇱 Israel | אבל | a-val | רציתי ללכת אבל ירד גשם. |
| Azerbaijani | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Amma | am-ma | Getmək istəyirdim amma yağış yağırdı. |
| Armenian | 🇦🇲 Armenia | Բայց | bayts | Ես ուզում էի գնալ, բայց անձրև էր գալիս։ |
| Georgian | 🇬🇪 Georgia | მაგრამ | mag-ram | მინდოდა წასვლა, მაგრამ წვიმდა. |
Additional Languages Around the World
Many fascinating languages are spoken outside the major regional groups listed above. These languages reflect the cultural diversity of Oceania, the Americas, and indigenous communities worldwide. Learning their words for “but” can deepen appreciation for linguistic diversity and global communication.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
| Maori | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Engari | en-ga-ri | I hiahia ahau ki te haere engari i ua. |
| Hawaiian | 🇺🇸 Hawaii | Akā | a-ka | Ua makemake au e hele akā ua ua. |
| Samoan | 🇼🇸 Samoa | Ae | ah-eh | Sa ou fia alu ae sa timu. |
| Tongan | 🇹🇴 Tonga | Kae | kai | Na’e fie alu au kae na’e ‘uha. |
| Fijian | 🇫🇯 Fiji | Ia | ee-ah | Au via lako ia e uca tiko. |
| Tahitian | 🇵🇫 Tahiti | Tera râ | te-ra ra | Ua hinaaro vau e haere tera râ ua ua. |
| Greenlandic | 🇬🇱 Greenland | Kisianni | ki-see-an-ni | Aallarusuppunga kisianni siallerpoq. |
| Quechua | 🇵🇪 Peru | Ichaqa | i-cha-ka | Risaq munani ichaqa para karqa. |
| Guarani | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | Péro | pe-ro | Ahasese péro oky. |
| Nahuatl | 🇲🇽 Mexico | Pero | pe-ro | Nicnequi niyaz pero quiahuitl. |
FAQs
What does but mean in different languages?
The common word but is a conjunction used to show contrast, opposition, or exception between ideas. Its translation varies across worldwide languages, but the purpose remains similar in everyday communication.
How can I translate but accurately into another foreign language?
To translate but correctly, consider the sentence context, grammar, and conjunction usage. A reliable language translation with example sentences helps you choose the most natural expression.
Why is learning how to say but important for language learning?
Learning to say but improves language skills, vocabulary, and confidence while speaking, writing, reading, and listening. It also supports smoother meaningful conversations across different cultures.
Do translations of but change across regional variations?
Yes, many translations differ because of regional variations, language differences, and local expressions. Understanding these differences improves multilingual communication and avoids confusion.
Can I find pronunciation for but in multiple languages?
Yes, most language guides provide pronunciation, audio pronunciation, pronunciation guide, and spelling to help learners speak naturally. Regular practice helps improve accuracy and confidence.
Which people benefit most from learning but in different languages?
Students, travelers, business professionals, and language enthusiasts all benefit from learning this simple word. It makes communication, global communication, and cultural exchange much easier.
How do example sentences improve understanding of but?
Using example sentences shows the correct usage, express contrast, and proper conjunction usage in real conversations. They also help learners remember the word meaning more effectively.
Can I compare Spanish equivalents of but with other languages?
Yes, comparing Spanish, Spanish equivalents, and other world languages helps you compare languages and understand language expressions. This approach also builds stronger multilingual vocabulary.
Does this guide include widely spoken languages and lesser-known languages?
Yes, it covers both widely spoken languages and lesser-known languages from around the world. This broad approach supports cultural understanding and introduces learners to linguistic diversity.
How does learning but improve everyday communication?
Understanding this powerful word helps you connect ideas, express contrast words, explain exception words, and communicate naturally. It strengthens improve vocabulary, improve language skills, and overall language learning.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say but in different languages improves language skills, expands vocabulary, and strengthens multilingual communication in everyday life. By understanding its translation, pronunciation, grammar, usage, and example sentences, you can connect ideas, express contrast, and communicate with greater confidence. Whether you are learning languages for travel, study, or professional growth, exploring world languages encourages cultural understanding and more meaningful interactions around the world.
Joshua Lewis is a passionate language enthusiast and content creator at LanguageGlobes.com. He specializes in exploring global languages, cultures, and communication trends, helping readers connect with the world through words.
