但 dàn but
How to remember 但: 亻 person + 旦 dawn = but. The person sets an alarm for dawn to go jogging, and it rings and rings, but she just rolls over.
Component breakdown
但 = 亻 person + 旦 dawn
- 亻 person
- 旦 dawn
The person sets an alarm for dawn to go jogging, and it rings and rings, but she just rolls over.
How it is used
- The "but" of 但是 (dànshì) - 好吃但很贵 (hǎochī dàn hěn guì) tasty but pricey. It answers a 虽然 (suīrán, although) clause.
- 不但 (búdàn) = "not only", pairing with 而且 (érqiě, but also): 不但便宜而且好 (búdàn piányi érqiě hǎo) not only cheap but also good. 但愿 (dànyuàn) = if only.
Words with 但
Example sentences
- 他们赢了这次战斗，但输了这场战争 Tāmen yíngle zhè cì zhàndòu, dàn shūle zhè chǎng zhànzhēngThey won the battle but lost the war .
- 雨很大，但是他还是出门了。 Yǔ hěn dà, dànshì tā háishi chūmén le.He went out though it was raining heavily.
- 闹钟响了，但是他没醒。 Nàozhōng xiǎng le, dànshì tā méi xǐng.The alarm clock has rung, but he hasn't yet woken up.
- 我在城市上班，但是住在郊区。 Wǒ zài chéngshì shàngbān, dànshì zhùzài jiāoqū.I work in the city, but live in the suburbs.