किंतु (kintu)
conjunction
A formal/literary word for 'but', used mainly in writing and careful speech; the everyday equivalent is लेकिन (lekin).
Sense
1
:
but, however
conjunction
Synonyms: लेकिन (lekin), पर (par), मगर (magar), परंतु (parantu, formal/literary variant)
Frequency: literary
Cultural Note: You will meet किंतु (kintu) constantly in newspapers, textbooks, and formal speeches, but almost never at the dinner table -- there, पर (par) and लेकिन (lekin) do all the work. It is also often paired with इसके अलावा-type formal constructions and with यद्यपि (yadypi) to give writing a more classical, deliberate tone.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often use किंतु (kintu) in casual conversation where लेकिन (lekin) or पर (par) would sound much more natural -- किंतु (kintu) belongs to formal writing, essays, and speeches, not everyday chit-chat. 2) It is frequently paired with यद्यपि (yadypi, 'although') in formal sentences, similar to how 'although...yet' pairs in English; this correlative pairing is a written-register habit, not something you will hear in casual talk.
Sample Sentences:
उसने बहुत प्रयास किया, किंतु सफलता नहीं मिली।
He made a great effort, but he did not achieve success.
(usne bahut prayaas kiyaa, kintu saphaltaa nahiin milii।)
यद्यपि मार्ग कठिन था, किंतु यात्री ने हार नहीं मानी।
Although the path was difficult, the traveler did not give up.
(yadypi maarg kathin thaa, kintu yaatrii ne haar nahiin maanii।)
सरकार योजनाएँ बनाती है, किंतु उनका क्रियान्वयन उचित ढंग से नहीं होता।
The government makes plans, but their implementation does not happen properly.
(sarkaar yojnaaen banaatii hai, kintu unkaa kriyaanvyan uchit dhang se nahiin hotaa।)
वह निरंतर कार्य करता रहा, किंतु परिणाम संतोषजनक नहीं थे।
He kept working continuously, but the results were not satisfactory.
(vah nirantar kaary kartaa rahaa, kintu parinaam santoshajnak nahiin the।)
आदेश का पालन किया जाए, किंतु विवेक का त्याग न किया जाए।
The order should be followed, but wisdom should not be abandoned.
(aadesh kaa paalan kiyaa jaae, kintu vivek kaa tyaag n kiyaa jaae।)
यदि समय रहता, किंतु परिस्थितियाँ अनुकूल न होतीं।
There would have been time, but the circumstances would not have been favorable.
(yadi samay rahtaa, kintu paristhitiyaan anukool n hotiin।)
प्रधानमंत्री ने विकास की बात की, किंतु बेरोज़गारी का उल्लेख नहीं किया।
The Prime Minister spoke of development, but did not mention unemployment.
(pradhaanmantrii ne vikaas kii baat kii, kintu berozgaarii kaa ullekh nahiin kiyaa।)
वह अवश्य आएगा, किंतु समय पर पहुँचना कठिन होगा।
He will surely come, but it will be difficult for him to arrive on time.
(vah avashy aaegaa, kintu samay par pahunchnaa kathin hogaa।)