但是

• Pinyin: dàn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 但 (dàn) — but; 是 (shì) — to be (here functioning as an intensifier)

Meaning

But; however. The most common conjunction for introducing a contrasting or opposing idea.

The standard spoken conjunction for 'but.' More common in everyday speech than 但 alone. Used in the pattern 虽然...但是... (although...but...). Interchangeable with 但 in most contexts but sounds more natural in conversation.

Examples

1. 我想去旅行，但是没有时间。 I want to travel, but I don't have time.
2. 这件衣服很好看，但是太贵了。 This piece of clothing looks nice, but it's too expensive.
3. 他说了很多，但是我没听懂。 He said a lot, but I didn't understand.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday conversation, writing, formal speech

Tone: neutral, contrastive

Do Say

• 我知道了，但是我不同意。(I understand, but I don't agree.)
• 虽然下雨了，但是我们还是去了。(Although it rained, we still went.)

Don't Say

• 不要在句子开头单独用但是而没有前半句 — in Chinese, 但是 connects two clauses; unlike English 'But,' it generally should not start a standalone sentence without prior context.

Origin & History

Compound of 但 (but) and 是 (to be), strengthening the adversative force. Became the dominant spoken conjunction in modern Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal