可是
HSK 3 (exam 2025)HSK 2 (2021)Old HSK 4
可是 (kěshì) · but
可是 (kěshì) means “but; however”. It is written with 2 characters: 可 (but) + 是 (to be). It is an HSK 3 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 可是 is built
The characters
可 kě · but
What 可 is made of
- 丁dīng — male adult
- 口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 冂 — frame
Origin hint: 丁 gives the meaning, 口 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
是 shì · to be
What 是 is made of
- 日rì — sun; day
- 口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 口kǒu — mouth
- 疋pǐ — foot shape
Origin hint: To speak 日 directly 疋 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
Example sentences
我想去，可是没有时间。Wǒ xiǎng qù, kěshì méiyǒu shíjiān.I want to go, but I don't have time.
这件衣服很漂亮，可是太贵了。Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn piàoliang, kěshì tài guì le.This piece of clothing is pretty, but it's too expensive.
Questions about 可是
What does 可是 mean?
可是 (kěshì) means “but; however”.
How do you pronounce 可是?
可是 is pronounced kěshì.
Which HSK level is 可是?
可是 is in HSK 3 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 4.
Related words
- 可爱kě'àicute
- 可能kěnéngmaybe
- 可怕kěpàscary
- 可以kěyǐcan
- 可靠kěkàoreliable
- 可乐kělècola
- 认可rènkěto approve
- 可见kějiànit is clear that
- 可怜kěliánpitiful
- 可惜kěxīit's a pity
Learn 可是 with its group
It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 9: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.