(dàn shì) - but, however (formal) in Mandarin
dànshìTraditional: 但是
Translation
but, however (formal)
Word origin
The word 但是 combines 但 'but' with 是 'to be, yes', forming the standard contrastive conjunction 'but, however'. 但 is 亻 (person) + 旦 (phonetic); 是 joins 日 (sun) over 正/疋, originally 'straight, correct', later the copula.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 但 (dàn, but: 亻 person + 旦 phonetic) + 是 (shì, to be)
Stroke order
但
是
Examples
，。
I am very tired, but I still need to persevere.
格，。
The price is high, but it works well.
，缺乏。
He is very capable, but lacks experience.
，。
I like her, but she does not like me.
，。
The weather is cold, but I am not afraid.
Used in
Stories
(14)朋友找我
1 min read · Core 1000
在这里
1 min read · Core 1000
不知道在哪里
2 min read · Core 1000
打电话
3 min read · Core 1000
大伟的工作
3 min read · Core 1000
迷路
3 min read · Core 1000
下雨的下午
3 min read · Core 1000
新邻居
3 min read · Core 1000
一起做饭
3 min read · Core 1000
最后的车
3 min read · Core 1000
今年去哪里
4 min read · Core 1000
新工作的第一天
4 min read · Core 1000
等了三年
5 min read · Core 5000
有钱没时间
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(4)Mandarin Advanced Grammar (C1-C2 / HSK 6+): Chengyu, Classical Remnants, and Register
Concession in Mandarin: 虽然...还是/但是, 不过, and 还是 (Although, Even So, Nonetheless)
Mandarin Conjunctions: 虽然…但是, 因为…所以, 如果…就 and the Paired Structures That Join Clauses
Mandarin Intermediate Grammar (B1-B2 / HSK 4-5): Complements, Conjunctions and the Full 了 System
Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 2.