但

• 拼音: dàn
• 汉字拆解: 但 = 亻(person radical) + 旦 (dawn, phonetic component)

含义

But; yet; however. A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting clause.

More concise and slightly more literary than 但是. Often used in written Chinese and formal speech. Frequently appears in the pattern 虽然...但... (although...but...).

例句

1. 他很忙，但每天都锻炼。
2. 这个地方很远，但风景很美。
3. 虽然很难，但他没有放弃。

用法指南

语境: writing, formal speech, daily conversation

语气: neutral, contrastive

正确说法

• 天气很冷，但他还是出门了。(The weather is cold, but he still went out.)
• 虽然贵，但质量很好。(Although expensive, the quality is good.)

错误说法

• 不要在一个句子里同时用但和但是 — both mean 'but,' so using both together is redundant; choose one.

起源与历史

An ancient conjunction used since Classical Chinese. Originally also meant 'only' or 'merely' in literary texts.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal