You will choose between ama, fakat and ancak without inventing a meaning difference where the words can replace one another. The three route examples keep the facts unchanged.
The idea
Ama is a natural everyday choice for “but”. Fakat and contrastive ancak often sound more formal, especially in writing; this is a tendency, not a ban on using them in conversation. In the route examples, all three introduce the drawback after a positive point. But ancak also limits a quantity or time: ancak iki tabak means only two plates, and ancak yarın means not until tomorrow.
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| ama | Bu yol kısa ama çok dik. |
| fakat | Bu yol kısa fakat çok dik. |
| ancak | Bu yol kısa ancak çok dik. |
| ancak | Bu masaya ancak iki tabak sığıyor. |
Examples
- Bu çanta güzel ama bana ağır geliyor.This bag is nice, but it feels heavy to me.
- Bugün hava güneşli fakat dışarısı soğuk.The weather is sunny today, but it is cold outside.
- Sana yardım ederim ancak bugün vaktim yok.I can help you, but I have no time today.
- Bu yol kısa ama çok dik.This route is short, but very steep.
- Bu yol kısa fakat çok dik.This route is short, but very steep.
- Bu yol kısa ancak çok dik.This route is short, but very steep.
- Bu masaya ancak iki tabak sığıyor.Only two plates fit on this table.
- Seninle ancak yarın konuşabilirim.I can only talk to you tomorrow.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Turkish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Turkish device voice is available. You can still read the text.
Watch out
Do not automatically replace every ancak with ama. In Bu masaya ancak iki tabak sığıyor, the issue is how many plates fit, not a contrast between two statements. Ama and fakat do not express that quantity limit here.
Try it yourself
Choose a contrast word: the soup is hot, but it has too little salt.
Show answer or example answer
ama / fakat / ancak
ama / fakat / ancak: the warmth is presented positively, then the lack of salt qualifies that assessment. All three connect these two judgments; the tone can differ.
Choose from the three options: only two cups fit in this box.
Show answer or example answer
ancak
ancak: the box has room for no more than two cups. There is one statement with a quantity limit, so a word meaning “but” would not convey the intended message.
Choose from the three options: I can only call you in the evening, not earlier.
Show answer or example answer
ancak
ancak: evening is the earliest possible time for the call. The word restricts akşam; it does not introduce an objection to another statement.
For a more formal written tone, complete with either listed word: the route is long, but the view is beautiful.
Show answer or example answer
fakat / ancak
fakat / ancak: the pleasant view offsets the drawback of a long route. Both suit the requested written tone. Ama would also make a correct sentence, but is not one of the two options in this exercise.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Turkish sentences and words where available. We keep your score.
Choose a contrast word: the soup is hot, but it has too little salt.
ama / fakat / ancak
Choose from the three options: only two cups fit in this box.
Choose from the three options: I can only call you in the evening, not earlier.
For a more formal written tone, complete with either listed word: the route is long, but the view is beautiful.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe one advantage and one drawback of a place with ama, then rewrite it with fakat or ancak. Add a separate sentence with ancak limiting a number or time. For the ability form in the last example, follow the related suffix lesson.