The English word "but" is one of the most common conjunctions used to express contrast, opposition, or exception between two statements or ideas. In Hindi, there are three primary words that translate to "but": लेकिन (lekin), परंतु (parantu), and मगर (magar). Each has slightly different usage patterns and formality levels, though all serve the fundamental purpose of introducing contrasting information.
FAQ Schema Q: What does "but" mean in Hindi? A: "But" in Hindi is primarily expressed through three words: लेकिन (lekin) - the most common everyday usage, परंतु (parantu) - more formal or literary, and मगर (magar) - colloquial and commonly used in spoken Hindi. All three introduce contrasting statements or exceptions to what was previously stated.
In this lesson, you will encounter all three forms of "but" in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal writing. The examples progress from simple contrasting statements to more complex sentence structures, helping you understand how Hindi speakers naturally express opposition or exception in their communication.
Educational Schema Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Conjunctions - Expressing Contrast Focus Word: But (लेकिन/परंतु/मगर) Learning Objective: Master the use of contrasting conjunctions in Hindi Skill Development: Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary
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Hindi has three main words for "but": लेकिन, परंतु, and मगर -
लेकिन (lekin) is the most versatile and commonly used in everyday speech -
परंतु (parantu) is more formal and often appears in written or literary contexts -
मगर (magar) is colloquial and frequently used in spoken Hindi -
Unlike English, Hindi "but" typically appears at the beginning of the contrasting clause -
These conjunctions do not change form regardless of tense or gender
24.1 मैं (main) I चाय (chai) tea पीना (peena) to-drink चाहता (chahta) want हूं (hoon) am लेकिन (lekin) but दूध (doodh) milk नहीं (nahin) not है (hai) is
24.2 वह (vah) she बहुत (bahut) very सुंदर (sundar) beautiful है (hai) is मगर (magar) but थोड़ी (thodi) little शर्मीली (sharmili) shy भी (bhi) also है (hai) is
24.3 बारिश (baarish) rain हो (ho) happening रही (rahi) [continuous] थी (thi) was परंतु (parantu) but हम (hum) we बाहर (baahar) outside गए (gaye) went
24.4 उसने (usne) he कोशिश (koshish) effort की (ki) did लेकिन (lekin) but सफल (safal) successful नहीं (nahin) not हुआ (hua) became
24.5 किताब (kitaab) book महंगी (mehengi) expensive है (hai) is मगर (magar) but बहुत (bahut) very उपयोगी (upyogi) useful है (hai) is
24.6 मैं (main) I जाना (jaana) to-go चाहता (chahta) want था (tha) was परंतु (parantu) but समय (samay) time नहीं (nahin) not मिला (mila) got
24.7 वे (ve) they अमीर (ameer) rich हैं (hain) are लेकिन (lekin) but खुश (khush) happy नहीं (nahin) not हैं (hain) are
24.8 खाना (khana) food स्वादिष्ट (swadisht) delicious था (tha) was मगर (magar) but बहुत (bahut) very मसालेदार (masaledar) spicy था (tha) was
24.9 उसका (uska) his घर (ghar) house छोटा (chhota) small है (hai) is परंतु (parantu) but आरामदायक (aaramdayak) comfortable है (hai) is
24.10 मैंने (maine) I पढ़ा (padha) read लेकिन (lekin) but समझ (samajh) understanding नहीं (nahin) not आया (aaya) came
24.11 दुकान (dukaan) shop खुली (khuli) open थी (thi) was मगर (magar) but कुछ (kuch) anything नहीं (nahin) not मिला (mila) found
24.12 वह (vah) he डॉक्टर (doctor) doctor है (hai) is परंतु (parantu) but अभी (abhi) now काम (kaam) work नहीं (nahin) not करता (karta) does
24.13 मौसम (mausam) weather ठंडा (thanda) cold है (hai) is लेकिन (lekin) but धूप (dhoop) sunshine निकली (nikli) emerged है (hai) is
24.14 उन्होंने (unhone) they वादा (vaada) promise किया (kiya) made मगर (magar) but निभाया (nibhaya) fulfilled नहीं (nahin) not
24.15 रास्ता (raasta) path लंबा (lamba) long था (tha) was परंतु (parantu) but सुंदर (sundar) beautiful दृश्य (drishya) views थे (the) were
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24.1 मैं चाय पीना चाहता हूं लेकिन दूध नहीं है। I want to drink tea but there is no milk.
24.2 वह बहुत सुंदर है मगर थोड़ी शर्मीली भी है। She is very beautiful but also a little shy.
24.3 बारिश हो रही थी परंतु हम बाहर गए। It was raining but we went outside.
24.4 उसने कोशिश की लेकिन सफल नहीं हुआ। He tried but did not succeed.
24.5 किताब महंगी है मगर बहुत उपयोगी है। The book is expensive but very useful.
24.6 मैं जाना चाहता था परंतु समय नहीं मिला। I wanted to go but didn't get time.
24.7 वे अमीर हैं लेकिन खुश नहीं हैं। They are rich but not happy.
24.8 खाना स्वादिष्ट था मगर बहुत मसालेदार था। The food was delicious but very spicy.
24.9 उसका घर छोटा है परंतु आरामदायक है। His house is small but comfortable.
24.10 मैंने पढ़ा लेकिन समझ नहीं आया। I read but didn't understand.
24.11 दुकान खुली थी मगर कुछ नहीं मिला। The shop was open but nothing was available.
24.12 वह डॉक्टर है परंतु अभी काम नहीं करता। He is a doctor but doesn't work now.
24.13 मौसम ठंडा है लेकिन धूप निकली है। The weather is cold but the sun has come out.
24.14 उन्होंने वादा किया मगर निभाया नहीं। They made a promise but didn't keep it.
24.15 रास्ता लंबा था परंतु सुंदर दृश्य थे। The path was long but there were beautiful views.
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24.1 मैं चाय पीना चाहता हूं लेकिन दूध नहीं है।
24.2 वह बहुत सुंदर है मगर थोड़ी शर्मीली भी है।
24.3 बारिश हो रही थी परंतु हम बाहर गए।
24.4 उसने कोशिश की लेकिन सफल नहीं हुआ।
24.5 किताब महंगी है मगर बहुत उपयोगी है।
24.6 मैं जाना चाहता था परंतु समय नहीं मिला।
24.7 वे अमीर हैं लेकिन खुश नहीं हैं।
24.8 खाना स्वादिष्ट था मगर बहुत मसालेदार था।
24.9 उसका घर छोटा है परंतु आरामदायक है।
24.10 मैंने पढ़ा लेकिन समझ नहीं आया।
24.11 दुकान खुली थी मगर कुछ नहीं मिला।
24.12 वह डॉक्टर है परंतु अभी काम नहीं करता।
24.13 मौसम ठंडा है लेकिन धूप निकली है।
24.14 उन्होंने वादा किया मगर निभाया नहीं।
24.15 रास्ता लंबा था परंतु सुंदर दृश्य थे।
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The Hindi conjunctions लेकिन (lekin), परंतु (parantu), and मगर (magar) function as coordinating conjunctions that connect two contrasting clauses or statements. Unlike English, where "but" can sometimes begin a sentence for emphasis, Hindi conjunctions typically appear between the two clauses they connect.
Word Order and Placement In Hindi, the conjunction "but" appears at the beginning of the contrasting clause: -
First statement + conjunction + contrasting statement -
Example: वह अच्छा है लेकिन महंगा है (It's good but expensive)
Choosing Between लेकिन, परंतु, and मगर -
लेकिन (lekin) - Most common and versatile -
Used in everyday conversation -
Appropriate for all contexts -
Neutral register -
परंतु (parantu) - Formal and literary -
Used in written Hindi -
Academic or official contexts -
Sanskrit origin, hence more formal -
मगर (magar) - Colloquial and conversational -
Common in spoken Hindi -
Slightly informal -
Urdu origin
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Word Order Confusion -
Incorrect: लेकिन वह अच्छा है महंगा है -
Correct: वह अच्छा है लेकिन महंगा है -
Using Multiple Conjunctions -
Incorrect: वह आया लेकिन मगर देर से -
Correct: वह आया लेकिन देर से -
Forgetting Verb Agreement -
Remember that verbs must still agree with their subjects even when using conjunctions -
Direct Translation Issues -
English: "But I don't want to" -
Hindi: लेकिन मैं नहीं चाहता (not: लेकिन मैं चाहता नहीं)
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Complete your first statement -
Example: मैं जाना चाहता हूं (I want to go) -
Add the appropriate conjunction -
Choose based on formality and context -
Example: मैं जाना चाहता हूं लेकिन... -
Complete the contrasting statement -
Ensure proper word order (Subject-Object-Verb typical) -
Example: मैं जाना चाहता हूं लेकिन समय नहीं है
Similarities: -
Both languages use "but" to show contrast -
Can connect similar grammatical structures -
Essential for expressing complex thoughts
Differences: -
Hindi has three options where English has one primary word -
Hindi conjunctions don't start sentences as commonly -
Register differences are more pronounced in Hindi -
Hindi maintains SOV order even with conjunctions
Conjunction Forms: -
लेकिन - invariable, no gender/number changes -
परंतु - invariable, no gender/number changes -
मगर - invariable, no gender/number changes
Compatible Structures: -
Statement + लेकिन/परंतु/मगर + Statement -
Can connect: nouns, adjectives, verbs, full clauses -
No special conjugation required -
Position: Between the two elements being contrasted
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The use of contrasting conjunctions in Hindi reflects important aspects of Indian communication culture and social etiquette. Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers use "but" more naturally and appropriately in Hindi conversations.
Politeness and Indirectness In Indian culture, direct contradiction is often softened through various linguistic strategies. When using लेकिन, मगर, or परंतु, Hindi speakers frequently add softening phrases or particles like थोड़ा (thoda - a little) or शायद (shayad - perhaps) to make contradictions less harsh. This reflects the cultural value placed on maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation.
Formal vs. Informal Registers The choice between परंतु and लेकिन often signals the speaker's educational background and the formality of the situation. Using परंतु in casual conversation might sound overly formal or pretentious, while using मगर in a formal presentation might seem too casual. This register awareness is crucial for appropriate communication in different Indian social contexts.
Regional Variations The preference for certain conjunctions varies by region and linguistic background. Speakers influenced by Urdu tend to use मगर more frequently, while those with Sanskrit education might prefer परंतु. लेकिन serves as a neutral choice understood across all Hindi-speaking regions.
Conversational Flow Hindi speakers often use "but" to maintain conversational flow and show engagement. The conjunction serves not just to contrast ideas but also to acknowledge the previous speaker's point before presenting an alternative view. This reflects the Indian conversational style that values acknowledgment and relationship-building even in disagreement.
Written vs. Spoken Contexts The distinction between written and spoken Hindi is more pronounced than in English. परंतु dominates in newspapers, literature, and formal documents, while लेकिन and मगर are preferred in everyday speech. This diglossia (the use of two varieties of language in different contexts) is an important feature of Hindi that English speakers must navigate.
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From Munshi Premchand's "ईदगाह" (Idgah):
"हामिद के पास कुल तीन पैसे हैं। अमीना ने ईद के लिए दिए थे। वह बहुत खुश है लेकिन उसके मन में एक चिंता भी है। सब बच्चे मिठाई और खिलौने खरीदेंगे, मगर वह क्या करेगा? तीन पैसे में क्या मिलेगा? परंतु हामिद निराश नहीं है।"
हामिद (Hamid) Hamid के (ke) of पास (paas) possession कुल (kul) total तीन (teen) three पैसे (paise) paise हैं (hain) are। अमीना (Amina) Amina ने (ne) [ergative] ईद (Eid) Eid के (ke) for लिए (liye) for दिए (diye) gave थे (the) were। वह (vah) he बहुत (bahut) very खुश (khush) happy है (hai) is लेकिन (lekin) but उसके (uske) his मन (man) mind में (mein) in एक (ek) one चिंता (chinta) worry भी (bhi) also है (hai) is। सब (sab) all बच्चे (bachche) children मिठाई (mithai) sweets और (aur) and खिलौने (khilaune) toys खरीदेंगे (kharidenge) will-buy, मगर (magar) but वह (vah) he क्या (kya) what करेगा (karega) will-do? तीन (teen) three पैसे (paise) paise में (mein) in क्या (kya) what मिलेगा (milega) will-get? परंतु (parantu) but हामिद (Hamid) Hamid निराश (nirash) disappointed नहीं (nahin) not है (hai) is।
"हामिद के पास कुल तीन पैसे हैं। अमीना ने ईद के लिए दिए थे। वह बहुत खुश है लेकिन उसके मन में एक चिंता भी है। सब बच्चे मिठाई और खिलौने खरीदेंगे, मगर वह क्या करेगा? तीन पैसे में क्या मिलेगा? परंतु हामिद निराश नहीं है।"
"Hamid has only three paise in total. Amina had given them for Eid. He is very happy but there is also a worry in his mind. All the children will buy sweets and toys, but what will he do? What can one get for three paise? But Hamid is not disappointed."
हामिद के पास कुल तीन पैसे हैं। अमीना ने ईद के लिए दिए थे। वह बहुत खुश है लेकिन उसके मन में एक चिंता भी है। सब बच्चे मिठाई और खिलौने खरीदेंगे, मगर वह क्या करेगा? तीन पैसे में क्या मिलेगा? परंतु हामिद निराश नहीं है।
This excerpt from Premchand's beloved story "Idgah" masterfully demonstrates the use of all three Hindi conjunctions for "but" in a single passage. The author employs लेकिन to show the contrast between Hamid's happiness and his underlying worry, मगर to emphasize his dilemma compared to other children, and परंतु to formally conclude that despite everything, Hamid maintains hope. This progression from informal to formal conjunctions mirrors the emotional journey from simple happiness through worry to philosophical acceptance. The passage illustrates how skilled Hindi writers vary their conjunction usage to create rhythm and emphasize different levels of contrast.
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24.16 मैं (main) I कॉफी (coffee) coffee पसंद (pasand) like करता (karta) do हूं (hoon) am लेकिन (lekin) but आज (aaj) today चाय (chai) tea पियूंगा (piyunga) will-drink
24.17 फिल्म (film) movie अच्छी (achchhi) good थी (thi) was मगर (magar) but बहुत (bahut) very लंबी (lambi) long थी (thi) was
24.18 मैं (main) I आऊंगा (aaunga) will-come परंतु (parantu) but थोड़ा (thoda) little देर (der) late से (se) [with] होगी (hogi) will-be
24.19 वह (vah) he होशियार (hoshiyar) intelligent है (hai) is लेकिन (lekin) but मेहनत (mehnat) hard-work नहीं (nahin) not करता (karta) does
24.20 बाज़ार (bazaar) market पास (paas) near है (hai) is मगर (magar) but आज (aaj) today बंद (band) closed है (hai) is
24.21 मैंने (maine) I फोन (phone) phone किया (kiya) called परंतु (parantu) but कोई (koi) anyone जवाब (jawab) answer नहीं (nahin) not मिला (mila) received
24.22 खाना (khana) food तैयार (taiyar) ready है (hai) is लेकिन (lekin) but गरम (garam) hot नहीं (nahin) not है (hai) is
24.23 उसे (use) him हिंदी (Hindi) Hindi आती (aati) comes है (hai) is मगर (magar) but बोलने (bolne) speaking में (mein) in शर्माता (sharmata) feels-shy है (hai) is
24.24 कमरा (kamra) room साफ (saaf) clean है (hai) is परंतु (parantu) but व्यवस्थित (vyavasthit) organized नहीं (nahin) not है (hai) is
24.25 मैं (main) I समझ (samajh) understand गया (gaya) went लेकिन (lekin) but पूरी (puri) complete तरह (tarah) way से (se) [with] नहीं (nahin) not
24.26 दवाई (dawai) medicine कड़वी (kadwi) bitter है (hai) is मगर (magar) but जरूरी (zaroori) necessary है (hai) is
24.27 उसका (uska) his सुझाव (sujhav) suggestion अच्छा (achchha) good था (tha) was परंतु (parantu) but व्यावहारिक (vyavaharik) practical नहीं (nahin) not था (tha) was
24.28 मौसम (mausam) weather सुहावना (suhavna) pleasant है (hai) is लेकिन (lekin) but हवा (hawa) wind तेज़ (tez) fast है (hai) is
24.29 वह (vah) she गाना (gaana) song गाती (gaati) sings है (hai) is मगर (magar) but माइक (mike) microphone से (se) from डरती (darti) fears है (hai) is
24.30 योजना (yojana) plan बनी (bani) made थी (thi) was परंतु (parantu) but क्रियान्वयन (kriyanvayan) implementation नहीं (nahin) not हुआ (hua) happened
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24.16 मैं कॉफी पसंद करता हूं लेकिन आज चाय पियूंगा। I like coffee but will drink tea today.
24.17 फिल्म अच्छी थी मगर बहुत लंबी थी। The movie was good but very long.
24.18 मैं आऊंगा परंतु थोड़ा देर से होगी। I will come but will be a little late.
24.19 वह होशियार है लेकिन मेहनत नहीं करता। He is intelligent but doesn't work hard.
24.20 बाज़ार पास है मगर आज बंद है। The market is nearby but closed today.
24.21 मैंने फोन किया परंतु कोई जवाब नहीं मिला। I called but got no answer.
24.22 खाना तैयार है लेकिन गरम नहीं है। The food is ready but not hot.
24.23 उसे हिंदी आती है मगर बोलने में शर्माता है। He knows Hindi but feels shy speaking.
24.24 कमरा साफ है परंतु व्यवस्थित नहीं है। The room is clean but not organized.
24.25 मैं समझ गया लेकिन पूरी तरह से नहीं। I understood but not completely.
24.26 दवाई कड़वी है मगर जरूरी है। The medicine is bitter but necessary.
24.27 उसका सुझाव अच्छा था परंतु व्यावहारिक नहीं था। His suggestion was good but not practical.
24.28 मौसम सुहावना है लेकिन हवा तेज़ है। The weather is pleasant but the wind is strong.
24.29 वह गाना गाती है मगर माइक से डरती है। She sings but is afraid of the microphone.
24.30 योजना बनी थी परंतु क्रियान्वयन नहीं हुआ। The plan was made but implementation didn't happen.
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24.16 मैं कॉफी पसंद करता हूं लेकिन आज चाय पियूंगा।
24.17 फिल्म अच्छी थी मगर बहुत लंबी थी।
24.18 मैं आऊंगा परंतु थोड़ा देर से होगी।
24.19 वह होशियार है लेकिन मेहनत नहीं करता।
24.20 बाज़ार पास है मगर आज बंद है।
24.21 मैंने फोन किया परंतु कोई जवाब नहीं मिला।
24.22 खाना तैयार है लेकिन गरम नहीं है।
24.23 उसे हिंदी आती है मगर बोलने में शर्माता है।
24.24 कमरा साफ है परंतु व्यवस्थित नहीं है।
24.25 मैं समझ गया लेकिन पूरी तरह से नहीं।
24.26 दवाई कड़वी है मगर जरूरी है।
24.27 उसका सुझाव अच्छा था परंतु व्यावहारिक नहीं था।
24.28 मौसम सुहावना है लेकिन हवा तेज़ है।
24.29 वह गाना गाती है मगर माइक से डरती है।
24.30 योजना बनी थी परंतु क्रियान्वयन नहीं हुआ।
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In daily conversations, the choice between लेकिन, मगर, and परंतु often depends on the speaker's background, the formality of the situation, and regional preferences. Here are specific patterns observed in conversational Hindi:
Frequency in Daily Speech -
लेकिन: 60-70% of usage in everyday conversation -
मगर: 25-30% of usage, especially in casual settings -
परंतु: 5-10% of usage, mainly in formal discussions
Conversational Shortcuts In rapid speech, Hindi speakers often: -
Reduce लेकिन to just 'लेक' or 'पर' -
Blend मगर with the following word -
Rarely shorten परंतु due to its formal nature
Common Conversational Patterns -
Agreement followed by disagreement -
हाँ, लेकिन... (Yes, but...) -
ठीक है, मगर... (Okay, but...) -
सही है, परंतु... (That's right, but...) -
Softening criticism -
अच्छा है लेकिन और बेहतर हो सकता है -
(It's good but could be better) -
Making excuses -
मैं आना चाहता था लेकिन... -
(I wanted to come but...)
Tone and Intonation The conjunction "but" in Hindi conversations often carries specific intonation patterns: -
Rising tone before the conjunction builds anticipation -
Falling tone after suggests finality -
Level tone maintains neutrality
Cultural Considerations in Conversations -
Using परंतु in casual chat may sound pretentious -
मगर is preferred in Urdu-influenced regions -
लेकिन is the safest choice for learners
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