Learn Chinese Grammar: 但是(dànshì=but) vs. 可是(kěshì=but) :

Learn Chinese Grammar: 但是(dànshì=but) vs. 可是(kěshì=but) :
但是is more formal, it can be used in colloquial but more often used in news or written language. 但是 has a strongest intensity of tone (tends to give more emphasis to the second clause). 可是 is usually used in spoken Chinese and has a less strong intensity of tone than 但是. 可是 is often associated with negative result (here it also depends on personal preference).
Examples:
The house is new, but it's very dirty.
a.房子(fángzi=house)(hěn=very)(xīn=new),但是(dànshì=but)(hěn=very)(zāng=dirty)
b.房子(fángzi=house)(hěn=very)(xīn=new),可是(kěshì=but)(hěn=very)(zāng=dirty) (More used for negative result)

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