English–French

“but” in French

French

Alsomais

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔʁ/

Example

Je voulais sortir, or il pleut.

I wanted to go out, but it's raining.

Illustration for or (but)

How to say “but” in French

“But” in French is or.

A speaker lays one fact beside the previous claim and redirects the discussion with a restrained objection.

Full entry for or: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with or

Or, il faut que je parte maintenant.

However, I have to leave now.

Tips for using or

  • Unlike English 'or', French or here does not present alternatives; it links clauses in a formal contrastive transition.

Other French words for “but”

Je veux y aller, mais il pleut.

I want to go, but it's raining.

“but” in other languages