但是
dànshì
But...
但 (dàn) — how to say "but" in Chinese
但
But
conjunction joining clauses · adverb
1. but; yet; howeverHSK 3.0 · level 2
conjunction joining clauses
2. only; merelyHSK 3.0 · level 7-9
adverb
How to use it
Joins the parts of a complex sentence, often paired with another conjunction.
我想去，但没时间。
wǒ xiǎng qù dàn méi shí jiān
I want to go, but I have no time.
Radicals / Keys
人
Man
#9 · rén · 2 strokes
Synonyms
Examples
他很聪明，但不太努力。
He is very smart, but not very hardworking.
他虽然很忙，但还是来了。
Although he was busy, he still came.
Mnemonic
[dàn-] Danny the duck carried a basket of eggs but tripped. "But one egg survived!" she quacked. 🦆🥚
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "but" in Chinese?
"but" in Chinese is 但 (dàn).
What does 但 mean in English?
但 (dàn) means "But".
How is 但 pronounced?
It is pronounced dàn (written as dan). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
How do you write "but" in Chinese characters?
It is written 但.
What HSK 3.0 level is 但?
但 is on the HSK 3.0 level 2 word list. It is not part of the six-level HSK 2.0 lists.
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Grammar with 但
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
不但…甚至连 — not only… even…
不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb
不但 — not only… but also…
不但 (búdàn)……，而且 (érqiě)……
尽管 — although… but…
尽管 (jǐnguǎn)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯
但是 — but, however
但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér)
是 — conceding a point
Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.， 但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯