but (contrast between two statements)
The default contrastive conjunction, between clauses or phrases. Preceded by a comma.
Vreau, dar nu pot.
I want to, but I can't.
E scump, dar bun.
It's expensive, but good.
#29 · Coordinating conjunction
dar
In Romanian, dar means “but (contrast between two statements)”. It’s the #29 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
Meaning & Use
The everyday "but", and the 29th most frequent Romanian word. It joins two clauses of equal weight and normally takes a comma in front of it: Vreau să vin, dar nu pot. Romanian has three more words in this space — ci, însă and iar — and knowing when each one takes over from dar is what makes contrast sound native. (The identical noun un dar means "a gift"; only context separates them.)
neutralbut / however (opening a reaction)
Sentence-initial, it pushes back on what was just said — often with an exclamation.
Dar de ce?
But why?
Dar ce s-a întâmplat?
But what happened?
yet / and still (concession)
Concedes the first clause and keeps the second anyway — close to English "and yet".
E mic, dar puternic.
It's small, yet powerful.
A învățat, dar tot a picat.
He studied, and still failed.
Forms you’ll actually hear
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
dar100%
Grammar Behavior
clause, dar clause
Coordinates two independent clauses; a comma goes before dar, never after it.
Am sunat, dar nu a răspuns.
I called, but he didn't answer.
adjective, dar adjective
Contrasts two qualities of the same thing.
O casă mică, dar frumoasă.
A small but beautiful house.
Dar … ? (sentence-initial)
Opens an objection or a follow-up question, often with surprise.
Dar nu ai spus asta ieri!
But you didn't say that yesterday!
nu numai … dar și …
The fixed "not only … but also" frame.
Nu numai că e ieftin, dar e și bun.
Not only is it cheap, but it's also good.
vs. ci
ci is only used after a negation, to replace what was denied. dar simply adds a contrast.
Nu e roșu, ci albastru.
It isn't red, but blue.
vs. însă
Same meaning as dar but more formal, and it can move inside the clause instead of opening it.
A venit, însă prea târziu.
He came, however too late.
vs. iar
iar marks a mild switch between two parallel subjects ("while / whereas"), not a real objection.
Eu citesc, iar el doarme.
I read, while he sleeps.
vs. dar (noun: gift)
The identical noun un dar / daruri means "a gift". Only its article and position give it away.
Am primit un dar.
I received a gift.
Examples
Îmi place cafeaua, dar nu seara.
I like coffee, but not in the evening.
dar - Two clauses of equal rank, comma before dar — the standard written pattern.
Nu e frig, dar plouă.
It isn't cold, but it's raining.
dar - A negative first clause still takes dar when the second adds something new rather than correcting it.
Nu e cafea, ci ceai.
It isn't coffee, but tea.
ci (contrast) - When the second part replaces what was denied, Romanian must use ci, not dar — the classic mistake.
Dar tu ce părere ai?
But what do you think?
dar - Sentence-initial dar turns the floor over and gently challenges — no comma needed here.
A promis, însă nu a venit.
He promised, however he didn't come.
însă (contrast) - însă is the more formal "however" and, unlike dar, can sit after the first word: Nu a venit, însă.
After a negation, "but" is ci, not dar — when the second part corrects the first. Nu vreau apă, ci suc ("not water, but juice"). Use dar after a negation only when nothing is being corrected: Nu vreau apă, dar mulțumesc.