Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

This Rusian word is one of the top 1000 words in Russian. The complete list of most common Russian words is available here.

Meaning: but, however, yet

Pronunciation: [noh]

Part of speech: conjunction, indeclinable noun

Rank: #17 (see frequency list)

• Я иска́л, но не нашёл.
• I was searching but didn't find.
• Анекдо́т был смешно́й, но дли́нный.
• The anecdote was funny but long.
• Но он хоро́ший па́рень.
• However, he's a good guy.
• Это интере́сно не то́лько де́тям, но и взро́слым.
• This is interesting not only to children but also to adults.
• She not only saw us but also heard us.
• Он не то́лько зна́ет ру́сский язы́к, но и у́чит други́х.
• Not only he knows Russian but he also teaches others.
• Тут есть одно "но".
• There is a "but" in it.
• Никаких "но"!
• No "buts" about it!

• Доверяй, но проверяй.
• Words are the wise man's counters and the fool's money. (Literally: Trust but verify.)
• Закон суров, но это закон.
• The law is hard, but it is law.
• Невероятно, но факт.
• It is strange and yet true. (It's incredible but true.)
• Платон мне друг, но истина дороже.
• Plato is friend, but greater friend is truth.
• Собака лает, но не кусает.
• Barking dogs seldom bite.
• Медленно, но верно.
• Slowly but surely.