Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "but" in Russian

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

но

Meaning: but, however, yet

Pronunciation: [noh]

Part of speech: conjunction, indeclinable noun

Rank: #17 (see frequency list)

Example sentences:

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!

Proverbs and sayings:

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.

Phrase recordings: Copyright(c) 2011 MasterRussian.com. All rights reserved.
Word recordings: Copyright(c) 2006 Streit Goulnara, Streit Eric, Vion Nicolas. Copyright(c) 2007 S. Sakhno, N. Vion. Distributed under CC-BY.

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