Biroq

Biroq is a coordinating conjunction in Uzbek that expresses contrast or limitation between two clauses. It is roughly equivalent to the English word "but" or "however." In formal and literary Uzbek, biroq is common and can be somewhat more formal or emphatic than lekin. It typically joins two independent clauses and is usually preceded by a comma.

Etymology and relation to other Turkic languages: Biroq belongs to the Turkic language family. It has cognates in neighboring Turkic languages, such as Kazakh birak (бірак) and Kyrgyz birok (бирок), which convey a similar sense of contrast. In Turkish, the closest equivalents are however anis suggested forms like ancak or fakat. The word’s precise historical development is discussed in Turkic etymology, but its core meaning as a contrastive conjunction remains consistent across languages.

Usage and examples: Biroq can appear to connect clauses within a sentence or introduce a contrasting second sentence. It is used in both formal writing and everyday speech, though lekin is often more common in casual speech. A comma is typically placed before biroq when linking two clauses. Examples: Men buni bilaman, biroq amalda qilolmayman. Men ishga borishni xohlayman, biroq vaqt yo‘q. U yaxshi talaba, biroq tajribasi oz.

Notes: Biroq conveys a stronger sense of contrast or limitation than some informal alternatives and is a standard feature of written Uzbek. It is not interchangeable with all synonyms in every context, so selecting biroq can affect tone and formality.