"Mais" is likely the first word you learned when you wanted to say "but" in French. But did you know there are many other ways to express this common conjunction?

Learning these alternatives isn't just about expanding your vocabulary; it's about adding nuance, sophistication, and a more natural flow to your French conversations and writing. You'll be able to express subtle contrasts and introduce different ideas with greater precision.

Let's dive into 9 different ways to say "but" in French, and discover how to use them to make your French sound even better!

The most common 'but' – mais

The most common 'but' – mais

Mais is the most fundamental and commonly used word for 'but' in French.

Its primary function is to introduce a contrasting idea, an opposition, or an exception to what was just stated.

Unlike some other French conjunctions, mais is remarkably straightforward. It's a versatile word that you'll use constantly in everyday conversation and writing.

You can use mais in almost any situation where you would use 'but' in English, whether formal or informal.

As a conjunction, mais is invariable, meaning it does not change form based on gender, number, or tense. It always remains mais.

Typically, mais connects two clauses or phrases, often appearing at the beginning of the second clause to introduce the contrasting element.

Mastering mais is crucial for building more complex sentences and expressing nuanced thoughts in French.

💡 * Je veux y aller, mais je suis fatigué. (I want to go, but I'm tired.)

Elle est intelligente, mais elle fait parfois des erreurs. (She is smart, but sometimes she makes mistakes.)

Il aime le café, mais pas le thé. (He loves coffee, but not tea.)

C'est difficile, mais pas impossible. (It's difficult, but not impossible.)

Nous avons essayé, mais nous n'avons pas réussi. (We tried, but we didn't succeed.)

The formal 'however' or 'yet' – cependant

The formal “however” or “yet” – cependant

When you need to express a contrast or opposition in a more formal or elegant way than simply using mais (but), the French word to reach for is cependant. It translates most commonly to “however,” “yet,” or “nevertheless.”

Cependant is typically used in written French, academic discourse, formal speeches, or in conversations where a higher register of language is appropriate. It signals a shift in thought or an opposition to a previously stated idea, much like its English counterparts.

Unlike mais, which almost always comes at the beginning of a clause, cependant offers more flexibility. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence, or it can be placed after the verb, often separated by commas, to create a more sophisticated flow.

While mais simply introduces a contradiction, cependant often carries a stronger sense of concession or opposition. It can imply that despite a previous statement, something else is true or will happen. It adds a touch of emphasis to the contrast.

Choose cependant when you want to elevate your language, make a stronger argumentative point, or when you are writing formal correspondence or essays. It's a key word for sounding more articulate and polished in French.

💡 * Il pleut; cependant, nous irons nous promener. (It's raining; however, we will go for a walk.)

Je comprends votre point de vue; cependant, je ne suis pas d'accord. (I understand your point of view; however, I don't agree.)

Le travail était difficile; cependant, il a été achevé à temps. (The work was difficult; nevertheless, it was completed on time.)

Elle était fatiguée; elle a cependant continué à travailler. (She was tired; yet, she continued to work.)

Nous avons eu quelques problèmes techniques. Cependant, la présentation s'est très bien déroulée. (We had some technical issues. However, the presentation went very well.)

The 'nevertheless' or 'nonetheless' – toutefois

Toutefois is a versatile French adverb used to express "nevertheless" or "nonetheless". It introduces a contrasting idea or a concession, similar to "however" or "still" in English.

Its primary function is to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies what has just been said. It signals a shift or an exception, indicating that despite a previous point, something else is true or relevant.

Toutefois is generally considered a more formal or literary word than cependant (however) or mais (but). You'll often encounter it in written texts, speeches, or more formal conversations.

Typically, toutefois is placed at the beginning of a clause, often followed by a comma, or sometimes after the conjugated verb. Its position can slightly alter the emphasis.

While toutefois can often be replaced by cependant or néanmoins, it carries a slightly stronger sense of opposition or concession. Néanmoins is very close in meaning and formality.

Mastering toutefois will allow you to express nuanced contrasts and sophisticated arguments in French, elevating your communication beyond simple conjunctions.

💡 * Il pleut, toutefois, nous allons sortir. (It's raining; nevertheless, we are going out.)

La tâche est difficile, toutefois, elle est réalisable. (The task is difficult; nonetheless, it is achievable.)

Elle était fatiguée, elle a toutefois terminé son travail. (She was tired; she nevertheless finished her work.)

Nous avons eu quelques problèmes, toutefois, le projet a été un succès. (We had some problems; nonetheless, the project was a success.)

The 'still' or 'yet' (often implying contradiction) – pourtant

The conjunction pourtant translates to “yet,” “still,” or “however,” and is primarily used to introduce a contradiction or an unexpected outcome.

It often implies a sense of surprise or a contrast between what was expected and what actually is the case, much like “even so” or “nevertheless” in English.

You’ll frequently hear pourtant when someone is pointing out a fact that goes against a previous statement or a common assumption.

💡 * Il est fatigué, pourtant il continue à travailler. (He is tired, yet he continues to work.)

Elle a étudié, pourtant elle a raté son examen. (She studied, yet she failed her exam.)

Tu dis que tu m'aimes, pourtant tu ne me parles jamais. (You say you love me, yet you never talk to me.)

Le soleil brillait, pourtant il faisait froid. (The sun was shining, yet it was cold.)

The more formal 'nevertheless' – néanmoins

Néanmoins is a sophisticated French adverb that translates to 'nevertheless,' 'nonetheless,' or 'however.'

It is considered more formal and literary than its counterparts like pourtant or cependant, making it suitable for written texts, academic discourse, or elevated spoken language.

You use néanmoins to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a preceding idea, often implying a concession or a surprising continuation despite what was just said.

While cependant (however) and pourtant (yet, still) can often be used interchangeably with néanmoins, néanmoins carries a stronger sense of opposition or emphasis on the contrasting point.

Opt for néanmoins when you want to convey a sense of formal deliberation or a more pronounced 'despite that' in your writing or speech.

💡 * Il était fatigué, néanmoins il a continué à travailler. (He was tired; nevertheless, he continued to work.)

La situation est complexe, néanmoins une solution doit être trouvée. (The situation is complex; nonetheless, a solution must be found.)

Elle n'avait pas beaucoup d'expérience, néanmoins elle a obtenu le poste. (She didn't have much experience; however, she got the job.)

Le projet a rencontré des difficultés, néanmoins l'équipe a persévéré. (The project encountered difficulties; nevertheless, the team persevered.)

L'étude a montré des résultats prometteurs, néanmoins d'autres recherches sont nécessaires. (The study showed promising results; nonetheless, further research is needed.)

The 'on the other hand' – par contre

In French, par contre directly translates to "on the other hand" or "however." It's a highly versatile and frequently used phrase to introduce a contrasting idea or a counterpoint to a previously stated fact or opinion.

Par contre is extremely common in spoken French and informal writing. It serves to highlight a difference, an opposition, or an alternative perspective. While widely accepted, some grammarians consider it slightly less formal than alternatives like en revanche.

For more formal contexts, en revanche and cependant are often preferred as synonyms for "on the other hand" or "however." While all three convey contrast, par contre can sometimes imply a slightly stronger opposition or a more direct 'but' compared to the more neutral en revanche.

Typically, par contre is placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence to introduce the contrasting element. It is often followed by a comma, making the transition clear and emphasizing the opposing point.

💡 * J'aime le chocolat. Par contre, je n'aime pas le café. (I like chocolate. On the other hand, I don't like coffee.)

Il a de bonnes notes en maths. Par contre, il a des difficultés en français. (He has good grades in math. On the other hand, he has difficulties in French.)

Le film était long. Par contre, l'histoire était captivante. (The movie was long. On the other hand, the story was captivating.)

Elle est très gentille. Par contre, il est souvent de mauvaise humeur. (She is very kind. On the other hand, he is often in a bad mood.)

The 'in contrast' or 'on the other hand' – en revanche

The French phrase en revanche directly translates to "in contrast" or "on the other hand." It is used to introduce an idea that opposes or contrasts with a previously stated idea.

En revanche typically appears at the beginning of a clause or sentence to signal a shift to a contrasting point. It's a versatile expression that adds nuance to your arguments by presenting an opposing viewpoint or a different aspect of a situation.

While similar to par contre, en revanche often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. It highlights a strong opposition or a significant difference, making it a valuable phrase for academic writing, formal discussions, or when you want to clearly delineate contrasting ideas.

💡 * J'aime beaucoup voyager en avion, en revanche, mon mari préfère prendre le train. (I really like traveling by plane, on the other hand, my husband prefers to take the train.)

Le restaurant était cher, en revanche, la nourriture était excellente. (The restaurant was expensive, in contrast, the food was excellent.)

Elle est très timide en public. En revanche, elle est très ouverte avec ses amis proches. (She is very shy in public. On the other hand, she is very open with her close friends.)

Il a échoué à son examen, en revanche, il a réussi son entretien d'embauche. (He failed his exam, in contrast, he succeeded in his job interview.)

The 'except' or 'apart from' – sauf

The French word sauf is a versatile and common term that translates to "except" or "apart from" in English. It's used to indicate an exclusion or an exception to a general statement.

Primarily, sauf functions as a preposition. This means it is typically followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase, specifying what is being excluded from the general rule or group.

You'll often hear sauf when someone wants to highlight a single item or person that doesn't fit a pattern. It's an essential word for expressing exceptions in everyday conversations and writing.

While the focus is on sauf as a preposition, it's worth noting its extension: sauf que. This phrase is used to introduce a clause, meaning "except that" or "only that," allowing for more complex exceptions.

💡 * Tout le monde est là, sauf Paul. (Everyone is here, except Paul.)

J'aime tous les légumes, sauf les brocolis. (I like all vegetables, except broccoli.)

Le magasin est ouvert tous les jours, sauf le lundi. (The store is open every day, except Monday.)

Ils ont tout compris, sauf la dernière question. (They understood everything, except the last question.)

Nous irons à la plage, sauf s'il pleut. (We will go to the beach, unless it rains.)

1. The Narrative 'Now' or 'Yet': Or

In French, the word or is a conjunction that often causes confusion because it looks like the English 'or' but has a distinct meaning, especially in narrative, formal, or legal contexts. It's not the choice-making 'or' (which is ou in French), but rather introduces a consequence, a development, or a new premise, often translatable as 'now,' 'yet,' 'but then,' or 'however'.

In narrative writing, or serves to advance the plot or introduce a significant turn of events. It acts as a pivot, signaling a change in direction or a crucial piece of information that wasn't immediately apparent. It can create a sense of 'and then' or 'and suddenly,' adding dramatic effect.

In formal arguments, legal texts, or philosophical discussions, or is used to introduce a logical consequence or a new point based on what has just been stated. It helps to structure complex reasoning, often linking a premise to a conclusion or a general rule to a specific case. Here, it might be translated as 'therefore,' 'in this case,' or 'however'.

It's vital to differentiate or from ou. While ou means 'or' in the sense of 'either/or' (choice), or is a literary and formal conjunction. Remembering this distinction is key to understanding its nuanced role in French sentences.

Translating or requires careful consideration of the surrounding context. There isn't a single direct English equivalent; instead, you must infer its role in linking ideas, whether it's introducing a contrast, a logical progression, or a sudden development, and choose the most fitting English conjunction or adverb.

💡 * Le juge avait entendu les témoignages, or il lui manquait une preuve décisive. (The judge had heard the testimonies, yet he lacked decisive evidence.)

Il cherchait désespérément la solution, or elle se trouvait juste sous ses yeux. (He was desperately looking for the solution, but then it was right before his eyes.)

La loi interdit le stationnement, or de nombreux véhicules y sont garés. (The law prohibits parking, yet many vehicles are parked there.)

Elle pensait être seule, or une ombre bougea dans le coin de la pièce. (She thought she was alone, when suddenly a shadow moved in the corner of the room.)

Le contrat spécifiait les termes, or la partie adverse les a ignorés. (The contract specified the terms, yet the opposing party ignored them.)

Are there other ways to say 'but' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'but' in French. However, French is rich with nuances, and there are several other conjunctions and expressions that convey similar meanings, some more formal, some more subtle.

You can also do an online search for 'synonymes de mais' or 'expressions pour exprimer l'opposition en français' to explore further.

You might find some interesting alternatives for mais on your journey. Of course, make sure to check each word's specific nuance and try to see it used in context before you incorporate it into your speech.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express contrast or opposition.

And if you’re looking for a comprehensive list of conjunctions or expressions of opposition in French, the WordReference entry for mais is a great place to start, as well as entries for cependant, toutefois, and néanmoins.

I hope you found this article helpful. While there might not be a famous quote about the word 'but' itself, understanding how to express contrast effectively is crucial for nuanced communication in French. Mais (but) is a small word that opens up a world of complex ideas!

9 ways to say "but" in French