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B2 conjunctions_connectors 3 min de lectura

Hindi Adversative Conjunctions:

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Use `lekin` for simple contrasts, `balki` for corrections, and `phir bhi` when the result is surprising.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Connects two opposing or contrasting ideas.
  • Lekin and magar are for daily use.
  • Balki corrects a previous negative statement.
  • Parantu is the formal, dressed-up version.

Quick Reference

Hindi Word English Meaning Tone/Context Example Fragment
lekin but Neutral / Common sasta hai `lekin` achha hai
magar but Neutral / Urdu-influenced koshish ki `magar` haar gaya
parantu however / but Formal / Literary yojana achhi hai `parantu`...
kintu but / however Formal / Sanskritized chhota `kintu` mahatvapurn
balki rather / on the contrary Correction (Not X, but Y) woh gussa nahi, `balki` dukhi hai
phir bhi still / even then Unexpected result barish thi `phir bhi` main gaya
halaanki although / though Sets up a contrast `halaanki` main bimar tha...

Ejemplos clave

3 de 9
1

मैं कोशिश करूँगा, लेकिन वादा नहीं कर सकता।

I will try, but I cannot promise.

2

खाना बहुत तीखा था, फिर भी स्वादिष्ट था।

The food was very spicy, still it was delicious.

3

यह महँगा नहीं, बल्कि सस्ता है।

This isn't expensive, rather it's cheap.

🎯

The 'Magar' Flavor

If you're telling a dramatic story or reciting poetry (shayari), swap `lekin` for `magar`. It instantly adds 10% more emotion and flair.

⚠️

Don't Double Dip

Avoid using 'but' (`lekin`) and 'although' (`halaanki`) in the same English-style logic. In Hindi, `halaanki` usually pairs with `phir bhi` or just a comma, not `lekin`.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Connects two opposing or contrasting ideas.
  • Lekin and magar are for daily use.
  • Balki corrects a previous negative statement.
  • Parantu is the formal, dressed-up version.

Overview

Life isn't always straightforward, and neither are sentences. Sometimes you want to say one thing, but then immediately throw a curveball. That's where adversative conjunctions come in. They are the "buts," "howevers," and "althoughs" of Hindi. They act like verbal speed bumps, signaling a change in direction. Without them, you'd sound like a robot listing facts. With them, you can argue, complain, and surprise people—all essential life skills!

How This Grammar Works

These conjunctions connect two opposing ideas. Usually, the first part of the sentence sets up an expectation, and the second part smashes it. Think of it like a grammar traffic light that suddenly turns red. You're cruising along with a positive statement, and then BAM! A conjunction appears, warning you that a contradiction is coming.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The structure is super logical. You don't need to do mental gymnastics here.
  2. 2Clause A (The Setup)
  3. 3Adversative Conjunction (lekin, magar, balki, etc.)
  4. 4Clause B (The Twist)
  5. 5Pattern: [Expectation] + [Conjunction] + [Reality]
  6. 6Example: main aana chahta hoon (I want to come) + lekin (but) + paise nahi hain (no money).

When To Use It

Use these whenever there is friction between two thoughts.

  • Excuses: "I studied, lekin I failed." (Classic student life)
  • Corrections: "It's not blue, balki it's green."
  • Surprises: "He is rich, phir bhi he is stingy."
  • Formal writing: When you need to sound smart in an essay, swap lekin for parantu.

When Not To Use It

Don't use them if the second part just adds information without conflict. If you went to the store AND bought milk, that's just aur (and). Using lekin there would make you sound dramatic for no reason. "I went to the store BUT I bought milk" implies buying milk was a shocking rebellion.

Common Mistakes

  • The balki Trap: Beginners use lekin for everything. But if you mean "not X, but rather Y," you must use balki. Lekin just means "but."
  • Over-formality: Using kintu or parantu in casual chat makes you sound like a mythological character from a TV serial. Stick to lekin or magar with friends.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • lekin vs. magar: These are 99% interchangeable twins. Magar is slightly more poetic or Urdu-heavy, but in daily life, pick your favorite flavor.
  • phir bhi vs. to bhi: Both mean "still/even then." Phir bhi is the standard "nevertheless." To bhi is often used in conditional types ("Even if you pay me, to bhi I won't go").

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I start a sentence with lekin?

Absolutely. It's a great way to interrupt someone politely (or impolitely).

Q: Is parantu dead?

Not dead, just wearing a tuxedo. Use it in speeches or formal Hindi exams to impress the evaluator.

Reference Table

Hindi Word English Meaning Tone/Context Example Fragment
lekin but Neutral / Common sasta hai `lekin` achha hai
magar but Neutral / Urdu-influenced koshish ki `magar` haar gaya
parantu however / but Formal / Literary yojana achhi hai `parantu`...
kintu but / however Formal / Sanskritized chhota `kintu` mahatvapurn
balki rather / on the contrary Correction (Not X, but Y) woh gussa nahi, `balki` dukhi hai
phir bhi still / even then Unexpected result barish thi `phir bhi` main gaya
halaanki although / though Sets up a contrast `halaanki` main bimar tha...
🎯

The 'Magar' Flavor

If you're telling a dramatic story or reciting poetry (shayari), swap `lekin` for `magar`. It instantly adds 10% more emotion and flair.

⚠️

Don't Double Dip

Avoid using 'but' (`lekin`) and 'although' (`halaanki`) in the same English-style logic. In Hindi, `halaanki` usually pairs with `phir bhi` or just a comma, not `lekin`.

💬

Polite Refusals

Indians hate saying a direct 'No'. They often start with 'Yes, I want to come, `lekin`...' Listen for the `lekin`; that's where the real answer hides!

💡

Emphasis with Balki

You can use `balki` to intensify something. 'He isn't just smart, `balki` genius hai!' (He isn't just smart, in fact, he is a genius!).

Ejemplos

9
#1 main koshish karoonga, lekin vaada nahi kar sakta.

मैं कोशिश करूँगा, लेकिन वादा नहीं कर सकता।

Focus: lekin

I will try, but I cannot promise.

The classic, everyday 'but'.

#2 khana bahut teekha tha, phir bhi swadisht tha.

खाना बहुत तीखा था, फिर भी स्वादिष्ट था।

Focus: phir bhi

The food was very spicy, still it was delicious.

Used when the result (tasty) is surprising given the condition (spicy).

#3 yeh mehenga nahi, balki sasta hai.

यह महँगा नहीं, बल्कि सस्ता है।

Focus: balki

This isn't expensive, rather it's cheap.

Correcting a misconception. You can't use 'lekin' here!

#4 usne bulaya, magar main nahi gaya.

उसने बुलाया, मगर मैं नहीं गया।

Focus: magar

He called (invited), but I didn't go.

'Magar' adds a slight storytelling flair.

#5 varshaa ho rahi thi, parantu match jari raha.

वर्षा हो रही थी, परन्तु मैच जारी रहा।

Focus: parantu

It was raining, however the match continued.

Formal context (news report or official statement).

#6 halaanki wo thaka tha, phir bhi wo dauda.

हालाँकि वो थका था, फिर भी वो दौड़ा।

Focus: halaanki

Although he was tired, still he ran.

Advanced: Using correlatives 'halaanki' ... 'phir bhi' together.

#7 woh mera dushman nahi, lekin dost hai. (✗ Mistake)

वह मेरा दुश्मन नहीं, लेकिन दोस्त है। (✗)

Focus: lekin

He is not my enemy, but friend. (Incorrect usage)

Use 'balki' when correcting 'not A, but B'.

#8 woh mera dushman nahi, balki dost hai. (✓ Correct)

वह मेरा दुश्मन नहीं, बल्कि दोस्त है। (✓)

Focus: balki

He is not my enemy, rather he is a friend.

Correct usage for contradiction.

#9 main ameer nahi hoon, lekin dil ka raja hoon.

मैं अमीर नहीं हूँ, लेकिन दिल का राजा हूँ।

Focus: lekin

I am not rich, but I am the king of hearts.

Cheesy Bollywood dialogue style.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the best conjunction for a correction context.

Yeh lal nahi hai, ___ neela hai.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: balki

Because the first clause has a negative ('nahi') and the second clause provides the correct alternative, we use 'balki' (rather/on the contrary).

Fill in the blank for an unexpected result.

Dawa kafi kadvi thi, ___ usne kha li.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: phir bhi

'Phir bhi' implies doing something despite a difficulty (the medicine being bitter).

Select the formal conjunction.

Sarkar ne koshish ki, ___ safalta nahi mili.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: parantu

'Parantu' is the formal version of 'lekin', suitable for discussing government (sarkar) actions.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Lekin vs Balki

Lekin (But)
Contrast I like tea, BUT not coffee.
New Info He is nice, BUT busy.
Balki (Rather)
Correction It's not tea, RATHER it's soup.
Clarification He isn't rude, RATHER he's shy.

Which 'But' to Use?

1

Are you correcting a 'NOT X' statement?

YES ↓
NO
Go to next check
2

Is the sentence 'Not X, ___ Y'?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'lekin' or 'magar'
3

Yes! Use 'balki'.

YES ↓
NO
End

Register Scale

☕

Casual/Daily

  • • lekin
  • • magar
📚

Formal/Textbook

  • • kintu
  • • parantu
💥

Strong Contrast

  • • phir bhi
  • • balki

Preguntas frecuentes

20 preguntas

The undisputed champion is lekin. You will hear it everywhere, from markets to movies.

You can, but people might think you are joking or practicing for a speech. It sounds very stiff.

It translates best to 'rather' or 'on the contrary'. It corrects the first part of the sentence.

Use it when the result doesn't make sense with the situation. Dard tha, phir bhi hasa (There was pain, still he laughed).

Not really. They are both formal Sanskrit-derived words for 'but'. Parantu is slightly more common in modern formal Hindi than kintu.

Yes! Just like in English, starting with Lekin... is a great way to object to what someone just said.

Not at all. Magar is very polite and poetic. It's just a style choice.

Parantu or magar usually fill this role. We don't distinguish 'but' and 'however' as strictly as English.

Usually phir bhi (still). Halaanki baarish thi, phir bhi main gaya (Although it rained, still I went).

Yes, it's emphatic! Lekin phir bhi means 'But even then...' or 'But still...'.

Sometimes people just say par (short for parantu) in very casual speech. Main gaya par wo nahi tha.

It's 'bul-key'. The 'l' is soft.

Nope! Conjunctions are invariable. They stay the same whether you are a boy, girl, or group.

In Hinglish, absolutely. 'Main aana chahta hoon BUT time nahi hai' is extremely common in cities.

Varan is a very formal version of balki. You'll mostly see it in old literature.

You can use ke baavjood or the halaanki... phir bhi structure.

No! Agar means 'if'. Magar means 'but'. Don't mix them up, or your conditions will become contradictions!

Avoid it mostly, but lekin phir bhi is a common exception.

Balki creates a strong correction. Lekin is a softer contrast.

Maaf kijiye, lekin... (Forgive me, but...) is a standard polite way to deliver bad news.

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