parantu

Parantu, written in Devanagari as परंतु, is a conjunction used in Sanskrit and many Indo-Aryan languages to mean "but" or "however." It functions to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies the preceding clause and is typically found in formal, literary, or philosophical prose rather than everyday speech.

In linguistic and historical contexts, parantu is recognized as a classic connective that appears in Sanskrit texts and has been inherited by related languages such as Hindi, Marathi, and Nepali. In modern Hindi, parantu tends to appear more in written or formal registers, while colloquial speech often favors lek[in] (lekin) or magar. Marathi uses parantu with a similar sense, maintaining its presence in literary and editorial writing. The word helps shape argumentation, nuance, or a pivot in narrative, signaling a refinement or counterpoint to what has come before.

Parantu is one of several Kwa conjunctions used to express contrast. Its synonyms and near-equivalents include kintu, lekin, and magar, though each carries slightly different tonal weight or regional preference. Parantu often conveys a stronger or more formal shift than some of these alternatives, and it may be selected to emphasize a clarifying or corrective turn in discourse.

Example: यह योजना लाभकारी हो सकती है, परंतु लागत बहुत अधिक है.

Translation: This plan could be beneficial, but the cost is very high.