Three Common Hindi Words for "But

These words are conjunctions. They connect two opposing ideas. You state one fact first. Then you add the "but" word. Finally, you add the contrasting fact. It is just like English syntax. You don't need to change verb endings. You don't need to worry about gender here. These words are "avyay" or indeclinable. They stay the same no matter what. They act as a bridge between thoughts. One side of the bridge is your first clause. The other side is the contradiction. It is a simple way to add complexity to sentences. You can use them to express doubt or conditions.

1. 1Using these words follows a very simple path.
2. 2Start with your first complete sentence or thought.
3. 3Add a small pause or a comma.
4. 4Choose your "but" word: lekin, par, or magar.
5. 5Complete the thought with your contrasting sentence.
6. 6Example: Main aana chahta hoon (I want to come) + lekin (but) + main busy hoon (I am busy).
7. 7Result: Main aana chahta hoon, lekin main busy hoon.
8. 8It is a linear process. No complex word-order shuffling is required for this rule.

Use lekin for almost any situation. It is the safe, standard choice. It works in offices, schools, and with friends. Use par when you are in a hurry. It is the shortest and most common in spoken Hindi. You will hear it constantly in busy markets. Use magar when you want to sound slightly more formal. It is also very common in Bollywood songs. It feels a bit more poetic and thoughtful. Imagine you are at a job interview. lekin is perfect there. Imagine you are buying vegetables. par is your best bet. Imagine you are writing a heartfelt letter. magar will give it that extra flair.

Do not use kintu or parantu in daily life. These are very formal, Sanskrit-based words. They belong in old literature or formal speeches. Using them at a party sounds like reading a dictionary. Also, avoid starting every single sentence with lekin. It makes your speech feel repetitive and choppy. Don't use these words to mean "except". For "except", you need the word siwaye. If you want to say "But still", use phir bhi. These three words are strictly for contrasting two clauses. Using them incorrectly can confuse the flow of your story.

The biggest trap is the word par. In Hindi, par has two meanings. It means "but", but it also means "on" or "at". Context is your only savior here. If par follows a noun, it usually means "on". Example: Mez par means "On the table". If par sits between two sentences, it means "but". Yes, even native speakers might pause for a split second. Another mistake is using lekin and par together. Pick one and stick to it! Don't say lekin par.... It is redundant and sounds a bit silly. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. You only need one signal at a time.

You might know the word halanki. This means "although". halanki usually goes at the start of a sentence. "But" words always sit in the middle. For example: Halanki baarish ho rahi hai, main jaunga (Although it's raining, I'll go). Compare this to: Baarish ho rahi hai, lekin main jaunga (It's raining, but I'll go). Both convey the same meaning. However, the "but" version is much more common in speech. halanki feels a bit more structured and formal. Use the "but" trio for a more relaxed, natural flow. It keeps the listener engaged without sounding too academic.