可是 vs 可惜 (kěshì vs kěxī): 'but' or 'it's a pity'?
可是 is a neutral conjunction meaning 'but', used to contrast two statements. 可惜 means 'it's a pity' or 'regrettably', expressing disappointment or an unfortunate turn. The key difference lies in evaluation: 可惜 adds an emotional judgment of regret, while 可是 simply contrasts facts.
The words 可是 (kěshì) and 可惜 (kěxī) both can introduce an unexpected or disappointing turn, but they differ in nuance and grammatical role. 可是 is a conjunction that simply marks a contrast, equivalent to 'but' – it is neutral in emotion and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. 可惜 is an adjective/adverb that conveys the speaker's regret or disappointment; it means 'it's a pity' or 'unfortunately'. While 可是 focuses on the logical contradiction between two clauses, 可惜 adds an evaluative layer. They are not interchangeable because the presence or absence of regret changes the meaning.
When to use each
Use 可是 as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting statement or an unexpected turn. It is neutral and does not express any emotional evaluation. It can replace 但是 (dànshì) in informal contexts.
可是 can also be used at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize a strong contrast, often in colloquial speech.
Use 可惜 to express regret or disappointment about a situation. It can function as a sentence adverb (regrettably) at the start of a clause, or as a predicate (e.g., 真可惜). It always implies that the situation is unfortunate from the speaker's perspective.
When 可惜 introduces a full clause, it can be translated as 'unfortunately' or 'it's a pity that'. Unlike 可是, it cannot be used for neutral contrasts.
At a glance
| 可是 | 可惜 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Neutral contrast (but) | Evaluative regret (it's a pity) |
| Emotional tone | Neutral, objective | Regretful, subjective |
| Part of speech | Conjunction, usually clause-initial | Adverb or adjective; can be clause-initial or predicate |
| Can replace 'but' without regret? | Yes – natural and common | No – would sound unnatural or too dramatic |
| Example context | I like it, but it's too expensive. | I like it, but unfortunately it's too expensive (emphasis on regret). |
Examples
- 可惜我想去，可惜没有时间。Wǒ xiǎng qù, kěxī méiyǒu shíjiān.I want to go, but unfortunately I don't have time. / I want to go; it's a pity I don't have time.Correct: 可惜 expresses regret about lacking time. Not a mistake.
- 可是他很有钱，可是他并不快乐。Tā hěn yǒu qián, kěshì tā bìng bù kuàilè.He is rich, but he is not happy.Neutral contrast; no regret is implied.
- 可惜我喜欢这个工作，可惜工资不高。Wǒ xǐhuān zhège gōngzuò, kěxī gōngzī bù gāo.I like this job, but it's a pity the salary is not high.Expresses regret over low salary.
- 可惜他学习很努力，可惜考试没通过。Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, kěxī kǎoshì méi tōngguò.He studied hard, but unfortunately he didn't pass the exam.Regrettable outcome.
- 可是这家餐厅很贵，可是味道很好。Zhè jiā cāntīng hěn guì, kěshì wèidào hěn hǎo.This restaurant is expensive, but the taste is good.Contrast between price and taste; no regret implied.
Common mistakes
- Using 可惜 where there is no regret or disappointment, e.g., '他很聪明，可惜很高' (he is smart, but tall – height is not regrettable; use 可是).
- Using 可是 to express regret, e.g., '我病了，可是不能去' (I'm sick, but can't go – if you feel regret, use 可惜).
- Confusing the word order: 可是 must introduce a clause, but 可惜 can also be a standalone predicate (e.g., 真可惜).
- Using 可惜 as a conjunction to contrast two parallel facts without any unfortunate nuance, e.g., '她喜欢唱歌，可惜我喜欢跳舞' (she likes singing, but I like dancing – not regretful; use 可是).
FAQ
- When do I use 可是 vs 可惜?
- Use 可是 for a neutral contrast ('but'). Use 可惜 when you want to express regret or disappointment about the situation ('it's a pity', 'unfortunately'). If you wouldn't say 'unfortunately' in English, stick with 可是.
- Can 可惜 ever mean 'but'?
- No, 可惜 never means a simple 'but'. It always carries a sense of regret. In some translations, it may appear as 'but unfortunately', but the regret element is essential.
- Can I use 可是 and 可惜 together in the same sentence?
- Yes, you can combine them for added emphasis. For example: '我想去，可是可惜没有时间' – 'I want to go, but unfortunately I don't have time.' However, this is more emphatic than necessary; usually one is enough.
- Is 可惜 always negative?
- Almost always. It expresses regret, so the situation it introduces is seen as unfortunate. It is not used for positive surprises, though it could be used ironically in some contexts (e.g., '可惜你不在' – 'It's a pity you weren't there' is negative from the speaker's perspective).