In German
aber
Meaning: but
Formal or informal? “Aber” is the everyday word for but. It's also used at the start of a sentence to express surprise or a contrast.
Example sentences
Ich bin müde, aber glücklich.
I'm tired, but happy.
Das ist teuer, aber gut.
It's expensive, but good.
Aber das stimmt nicht!
But that's not true!
Grammar note
“Aber” is a conjunction and doesn't change, and it doesn't affect the word order: “Ich bin müde, aber glücklich.”.
Common mistake
Don't confuse “aber” (but) with “oder” (or) or “ober” (waiter). They look similar in some fonts, but the meanings are different.
Quick check
Which German word means “but”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the German word for “or”?
“Oder”.
Does “aber” change the word order?
No, it's a conjunction, so the verb word order stays the same.