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但dànbut; yet; however; still

HSK 2word

By Chinese Copilot · Last updated

但 (dàn) means "but," "yet," or "however." It is a short form of 但是 used to introduce a contrasting idea in the next clause. In informal speech it often replaces 但是 between two statements that clearly turn against each other.

What does 但 mean?

  1. 1.

    but; yet; however; stillconjunction

What does the character 但 mean?

  • 但but; yet; however; still

How do you use 但?

Grammar patterns

  1. 1

    Statement，但 + Contrary Statement

    State one idea, then use 但 to introduce a contrasting idea. In informal speech 但 is the short form of 但是.

但 often replaces 但是 in informal speech when the second clause clearly contrasts with the first.

Patterns

  • …，但…

    我想看，但没有书。

    Wǒ xiǎng kàn, dàn méi yǒu shū.

    I want to read, but I do not have a book.

  • 可以…，但…

    你可以去，但要早一点。

    Nǐ kěyǐ qù, dàn yào zǎo yì diǎn.

    You can go, but you should go a bit earlier.

What are some examples of 但 in a sentence?

  1. HSK 1

    我想去，但我很忙。

    Wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn wǒ hěn máng.

    I want to go, but I am very busy.

  2. HSK 2

    中文很有意思，但我没有时间。

    Zhōngwén hěn yǒuyìsi, dàn wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān.

    Chinese is interesting, but I do not have time.

  3. HSK 1

    他可以来，但不能太晚。

    Tā kěyǐ lái, dàn bù néng tài wǎn.

    He can come, but he cannot be too late.

  4. HSK 1

    我很好，但现在没有时间。

    Wǒ hěn hǎo, dàn xiànzài méiyǒu shíjiān.

    I am fine, but I do not have time now.

How is 但 different from 所以?

但 introduces a contrast or turn. 所以 introduces a result that follows from a reason. If the second clause turns against the first, use 但, not 所以.

Only 但 fits here

我想去，但我很忙。

Wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn wǒ hěn máng.

I want to go, but I am very busy.

How is 但 used in a conversation?

  1. Speaker A:

    你想去吗？

    Nǐ xiǎng qù ma?

    Do you want to go?

  2. Speaker B:

    我想去，但我很忙。

    Wǒ xiǎng qù, dàn wǒ hěn máng.

    I want to go, but I am very busy.

  3. Speaker A:

    明天可以吗？

    Míngtiān kěyǐ ma?

    Is tomorrow okay?

  4. Speaker B:

    可以，但不要太晚。

    Kěyǐ, dàn bùyào tài wǎn.

    Okay, but not too late.

  5. Speaker A:

    好，我们早一点去。

    Hǎo, wǒmen zǎo yì diǎn qù.

    Okay, let's go a bit earlier.

  6. Speaker B:

    好的。

    Hǎo de.

    Okay.

Can you use 但 correctly?

0 of 3 answered
  1. 1.Fill in the blank: 我想去，___我很忙。
  2. 2.Which word fits: 他可以来，___不能太晚。
  3. 3.Fill in the blank: 中文很有意思，___我没有时间。

What should you learn next?

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English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.