In context
Example sentences
天气很冷，可是我还是出门了。
Tiānqì hěn lěng, kěshì wǒ háishì chūmén le.
The weather was cold, but I still went out.
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Related words
Grammar notes
HSK levels
可是: HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 3 on the new one. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
可是 (kě shì) means "but; however; (used for emphasis) indeed" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.
可是 is pronounced "kě shì" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.
可是 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 3 on the new one.
可是 is made up of the characters 可, 是. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.
You can practice writing 可是 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.